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1956 Map of Cowdrey

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Cowdrey
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Cowdrey sits at the heart of an intricate hydrological network in Jackson County, where the Michigan River and Canadian River converge toward the North Platte River. This 1956 survey reveals a landscape defined by an extensive system of gravity-fed irrigation, evidenced by the numerous waterworks like the Coe Ditch No 2, Seneca Ditch, and Cumberland Ditch that lace the valley floor. These channels support a series of established family holdings, including the Carlstrom Ranch, Hanson Ranch, and Brownlee Ranch, illustrating the essential connection between water rights and ranching life in the region.

Industrial development is visible in the southeast, where the North McCallum Oil Field and the Walden-Jackson County Airport indicate the diversification of the local economy beyond traditional agriculture. High-altitude relief is marked by features like Mansfield Draw and California Gulch, while landmarks such as Crystal Spring and the Carlstrom Reservoir provide vital fixed points for local history researchers and genealogists tracing land use and property boundaries in this high mountain valley.