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1955 Map of Independence Mountain

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Independence Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Independence Mountain dominates this portion of Jackson County, where mid-century ranching and water management shaped the landscape. The infrastructure for high-altitude agriculture is meticulously recorded, from the Threemile Enlargement and Extension Ditch to the Huntington (Abandoned) Ditch, illustrating the ongoing effort to divert water for cattle and crops. Local education and community life are anchored by the Threemile Sch, while established homesteads like Simmons Ranch and Waldron Ranch mark the valley floors.

Historical resource extraction is evident in the southern reaches of the quadrangle, where Placer Gulch and a specific Placer Mine suggest a history of prospecting. The terrain varies from the prominent peak of Sugar Loaf to the deeply etched drainages of Trapper Gulch and Parsons Draw. This survey, conducted for the development of the Missouri River Basin, provides a detailed record of the Bighorn Cattle Company's footprint, including the Bighorn Cattle Company Ditch and its associated waterworks.