1959 Map of Highland Flats

About this map

The Cheyenne River and its Dry Fork Cheyenne River carve through this high plains landscape, defining the topography of Converse County. This 1959 field-checked survey reveals a territory organized around expansive ranching operations and water management, evidenced by the numerous flowing wells and the Silver Spoon Reservoir. Significant family-run holdings like the Hornbuckle Ranch and the Manning Ranch are scattered across the terrain, while the Eighty-Eight Ranch (Site) marks a point of earlier habitation. The landscape is characterized by its named elevations and depressions, from the prominently labeled Highland Flats to the curiously named Holdup Hollow and Suicide Hill. The network of unimproved roads and the distinctive Loop Road suggest the isolation and specific navigational needs of this ranching country before modern development altered these rural corridors.