1961 Map of Big Charlie Lakes

About this map

The Little Medicine Bow River winds through this high-altitude landscape on the border of Carbon and Albany counties. In the early 1960s, this area remained largely defined by traditional ranching operations and natural water sources. The namesake Big Charlie Lakes are prominent features in the eastern half of the quadrangle, situated near small drainages like Spring Creek and Sheep Creek. Isolated outposts of agricultural life are visible at Cram Ranch and Heward Ranch, along with a standalone Corral, indicating a terrain utilized for seasonal grazing and livestock management. This topographic study reflects the sparse settlement patterns typical of the Wyoming high plains, where man-made infrastructure was limited to light-duty and unimproved roads connecting disparate family holdings and watering holes.