1960 Map of Turnercrest

About this map

The Belle Fourche River winds through the northwestern corner of this landscape, an area defined by wide expanses of the Reno Flats and a network of ephemeral watercourses. During the mid-twentieth century, the settlement of Turnercrest served as a small hub for the surrounding ranching community, connected to neighboring holdings by routes like Clarkelen Road. Family names are deeply etched into the topography, with numerous ranch sites such as the Wright Ranch, Patterson Ranch, and Turner Ranch established near essential water sources like Baker Spring and Maycock Spring. The terrain is punctuated by distinctive landmarks including Rocky Butte and Rattlesnake Butte, which rise above the draws and creek beds that feed into Bates Creek and Porcupine Creek. This 1960s snapshot captures the rural character of Campbell County before modern development, reflecting a reliance on groundwater and local topography for survival in the high plains.