71 Ranchero starting help

Hello, back again with a few questions for my Ranchero.

I noticed, along with I believe somebody else on this forum or maybe facebook, that my positive battery cable is actually black, and my ground is red. The black cable is going to my solenoid, and the red is grounded to the block and a small wire to the engine bay. Threw a battery in and now I have good bright headlights, tail lights, rear turn signals, and interior lights. Haven't tested brake lights yet. I did notice that when I turned the key I didn't get any dash lights. 
I tried turning the key to see if the starter would engage, and it does not. I can jump the solenoid and get it to engage the starter, and it turns over really strong. 
With the key turned to the run position, and jumping the solenoid, I do not get spark. I bought a new ignition switch, put it in today, and still nothing. Now at least, I do get the ALT light when I turn the key, so I don't think I bought a Lemon ignition switch. 
What should my next step be? Clean the points? I'm going to share some pictures of some wiring by the starter solenoid. Wiring is way above me right now. I know its a mess right here.
If it does mean anything, the alternator is currently disconnected. I don't know if theres a necessary connection there, or ground, just to start the car. 
I'm brand new to this, so any help is greatly appreciated. 

   Maybe you live somewhere close to someone on here that might be willing to come over and teach you how to walk thru the steps, depending on where you're located, it's much easier to diagnose and troubleshoot with all your senses, than from a picture on a screen. But that's why pro mechanics make the big bucks.    I do most of my own work and am slowly working thru getting a new to me neglected 74 with a Cleveland running after sitting for years. So I'm by no means an expert, but I'm proficient with diagnosing automotive electrical just new to points as well. Also test all your fuses and fuse able Links and plugs and connections and switches and make sure voltage is going where it needs to when it needs to. Use a test light and a volt meter or a power probe to verify what's going on where and when. Good luck!  

I cleaned the points after my original post, cleaned the rotor and the inside of the distributor cap as well. Still no spark, I have an inline spark tester to verify that. 

I tried cranking in neutral to check the neutral safety switch, it still did not crank with turning the key. 

I have an old family friend hopefully coming by tomorrow to help me diagnose what’s going on, he’s a lot more mechanically inclined than I am. I have a feeling it’s going to be a wiring issue, and he knows his stuff when it comes to that so hopefully I’ll have good news tomorrow evening, or at the very least a diagnosis. 

   I feel that weather, I'm working outside in the GA heat and humidity as well. That fuse box explains allot! 😦😔 Get a small wire wheel on a Dremel 

Yesterday I was able to work on the Ranchero some, I ended up tinkering with the points and got them to start arcing, poured some gas down the carb and after a little bit of work she fired right up, and actually idles really well.