1953 Map of Beaver Creek

About this map

The Shirley Mountains dominate the landscape of Carbon County, Wyoming, in this mid-century survey that documents a transition between active ranching and the vast high-desert wilderness of the Shirley Basin. The mapping reveals the footprint of early livestock operations, specifically noting the sites of the Tikkinen Ranch (Aband) and Salmi Ranch (Aband). These locations, along with the Campbell Headquarters Camp, highlight the seasonal and permanent structures required for high-altitude grazing. Water management is a primary theme of the terrain, visible through features like the Cowden Reservoir and the network of drainages including Lost Creek and Norbacher Creek. The survey also tracks the industrial infrastructure of the era, such as a prominent Pipeline and the Shirley Basin Road, which provided essential access to this remote interior portion of the state.