1902 Map of Sundance

About this map

Sundance serves as the focal point of this turn-of-the-century topographic study, situated at the edge of the Sundance National Forest. The landscape is a transition from the rolling plains into the mountainous terrain of the Black Hills National Forest along the South Dakota border. Settlement patterns are defined by isolated outposts and early ranching operations, such as Mc Creadys Ranch, Hotwell Ranch, and the T.E.Ranch. Mining activity is evident in the northeastern corner near the state line, with the small settlements of Welcome, Mineral Hill, and Tinton clustered around the high elevations of Nigger Hill. In the southwestern corner, the Burlington and Missouri River R.R. cuts through the territory, highlighting the early rail connections essential for the region's growth. The intricate network of canyons, including Grand Canyon and Spring Canyon, underscores the complex drainage systems feeding into Beaver Creek and Inyankara Creek.