1955 Map of Independence Mountain

About this map

Independence Mountain dominates this landscape in Jackson County, where the high-altitude terrain is marked by a complex system of water management and ranching operations. The map reveals the intricate network of irrigation necessary for this high-country environment, including the Valley Creek Ditch and the Huntington (Abandoned) Ditch, alongside numerous small catchments like Threemile Reservoir and Campbell Reservoir. Evidence of early 20th-century life is found at the Simmons Ranch and Waldron Ranch, while the local education of the era is anchored by the Threemile Sch. The southern slopes are etched with numerous draws, such as Placer Draw and Lawrence Draw, leading toward an active Placer Mine. This mid-century survey captures a working landscape defined by the intersection of mountain geography and the hydraulic infrastructure required to sustain the cattle companies and settlers of the region.