1956 Map of Bridger Pass

About this map

The Continental Divide carves a path through the center of this 1950s landscape, marking the high-altitude crest between the Sierra Madre and the high desert plateaus. The map details a rugged transition zone where industrial extraction and ranching life intersect. In the northeast, the Hatfield Oil Field and the Union Pacific railroad line signify the region's economic drivers, while the Overland Trail and Bridger Pass Road trace the historic routes of westward expansion. Several remote outposts, including Daley Ranch, McCarthy Ranch, and Lambertset Ranch, anchor the drainage basins of Separation Creek and Muddy Creek. These family-named landmarks, along with the distinct geological forms of Hogback Ridge and Red Rim, provide a clear picture of the remote homesteading and resource-based economy in Carbon County during the mid-twentieth century.