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1961 Map of Sussex

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Sussex
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Powder River meanders through the heart of this landscape, its winding course defining the agricultural and ranching life of Johnson County during the mid-twentieth century. The settlement of Sussex serves as a local hub, supported by the Sussex Sch and a network of named homesteads like the E Meike Ranch, Vest Ranch, and P Meike Ranch. These family ranching operations are clustered near the river and the Irrigation Ditch, illustrating the critical role of water management in the high plains.

To the south, the terrain rises into the timbered slopes of Pine Ridge, where distinctive landmarks like The Chimney and Chalk Butte break the horizon. This area also reveals the industrial footprint of the era, specifically within the West Sussex Dugout Oil Field and scattered Prospect sites. A complex network of drainage draws, including Deadman Draw and Canyon Draw, dissects the southern ridges, while a Jeep Trail provides access to the more isolated stretches of the ridge country.