1973 Map of Johnnys Hill

About this map

The Fort Peck Indian Reservation Boundary defines the southern portion of this high plains landscape in Valley County, where agricultural and mineral pursuits met the natural drainage of Hell Creek. In the early 1970s, the small settlement of Blackhawk stood near the northern boundary, while local resource extraction was marked by the Kleppen Mine and Sioux City Mine on the northern slopes. The terrain is characterized by the prominent rises of Johnnys Hill and the Highland Hills, providing a clear view of the complex system of coulees and ridges. This survey illustrates the proximity of these upland mining operations to the Valley Co Daniels Co border, showing the land use patterns during an era when family-run mines still punctuated the rolling topography of northeastern Montana.