1950 Map of Leesburg

About this map

Leesburg stands at the center of this 1950 field-checked survey, highlighting a region defined by high-altitude mining operations and the rugged drainages of the Salmon River Mountains. The map documents a transition in the local economy, where older extraction sites like the Italian Mine and Haidee Mine are noted as inactive, while the Blackbird Townsite and Blackpine Mine show the mid-century footprint of the cobalt and copper industry. Topographic detail reveals a network of ridges, including Phelan Ridge and Pepper Creek Ridge, that separated these remote work sites from cattle operations like Leacock Ranch and Peterson Ranch. From the Jureano Lookout to the heights of Phelan Mtn, the landscape is a maze of gulches and creeks such as Napias Creek and Arnett Creek, which were once the focus of intensive placer mining as evidenced by the Jureano Placer Diggings.