1961 Map of Barnum

About this map

Barnum and its surrounding ranchlands are situated at the dramatic break between the high plateaus and the rugged canyon systems of the Middle Fork Powder River. This landscape is defined by its deep historical ties to the Old West, specifically the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall Slope and Outlaw Cave, which provided natural fortification for late 19th-century fugitives. The mapping reveals a sparse but established network of homesteads and water management, including the Winsor Ditch and Barnum Ditch that supported livestock in this arid environment. Many family names are preserved on the land, from the Elmer Rinker Homestead to the Wolcott Ranch, reflecting the legacy of early Wyoming settlement. The complex terrain of ridges such as Elder Ridge and Poison Weed Ridge dictates the placement of the various jeep trails and the Arminto Road, which serve as the primary conduits through this secluded portion of Johnson County.