1916 Map of Blue Mesa

About this map

Blue Mesa dominates this central Wyoming landscape, an area defined by its intricate drainage systems and high-desert relief as surveyed in 1913 and 1914. The terrain is deeply incised by watercourses such as Gooseberry Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and the winding Grass Creek, which flows through the Grass Creek Basin. Remote water sources like Harris Spring, Ivy Spring, and the ephemeral Dry Spring Gulch would have been vital landmarks for early ranchers and travelers in this arid region. The map also delineates the high-altitude Washakie and Hot Springs County boundary, reflecting the political organization of these lands shortly after the formation of Hot Springs County. The presence of Coal Draw and Sand Draw points to the geologic character that would later define the region’s extractive industries, all captured here in meticulous topographic detail.