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1951 Map of Bessemer Mountain

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Bessemer Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The North Platte River carves a dramatic path through this central Wyoming landscape, entering the Bessemer Narrows between the elevations of Bessemer Mountain and Coal Mountain. This 1951 field check reveals a ranching economy established along the river's fertile valley and its tributaries, including Speas Ranch, Clark Ranch, and Two Bar Ranch. The persistence of early westward travel routes is evidenced by the Oregon Trail Historical Marker near Red Buttes, a landmark for emigrants following the river corridor.

Local civic life centers on the Bates Creek School and the crossing at Government Bridge. Water management is critical in this arid environment, shown by an extensive network of ditches and the presence of several reservoirs, such as the Reservoir (Aband) near Bates Creek. The map also details the rugged heights of Red Buttes and the industrial activity at various Gravel Pits, providing a clear look at the region's mid-century rural infrastructure.