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1960 Map of Cottier

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Cottier
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

The North Platte River valley defines this Goshen County landscape, serving as a corridor for both historic migration and modern irrigation. Traces of the Emigrant Trail parallel the river, marking the path of westward expansion near a Historical Mon and the site of Rock Ranch (Historical). This 1960 survey illustrates a complex water management system essential for high-plains agriculture, including the Fort Laramie Canal, Torrington Ditch, and Rock Ranch Canal.

To the south, the terrain rises into the rugged Three Buttes and is dissected by numerous drainages like Hefflen Draw and Angel Draw. The rural settlement at Cottier sits along the Union Pacific line, while the Chicago Burlington and Quincy tracks follow the northern riverbank. This intersection of rail, trail, and river reveals how the landscape was systematically reclaimed for ranching and transport.