1961 Map of Barnum

About this map

Barnum serves as a central point in this high-plains landscape where the forks of the Powder River converge. The 1961 field check documents a ranching economy defined by family names and irrigation, featuring an extensive network of ditches such as the Barnum Ditch, Beaver Creek Ditch, and White Panther Ditch. The terrain is dominated by significant geological formations, including the red-walled notch of the Hole-in-the-Wall and landmarks like Steamboat Rock and Castle Rock. Isolated residences and legacy sites such as the Elmer Rinker Homestead, Ghent Homestead, and Spangler Cabin are scattered across the slopes and draws, illustrating the distribution of early settlement along the Middle Fork Powder River and its various tributaries. This survey captures the region's transition from early homesteading to established cattle ranching, with the National Forest Boundary marking the higher elevations of Gardner Mountain.