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1945 Map of Fort Hill

Name: 1945 Topographic Map of Fort Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Miller Mountain dominates the northwestern corner of this Wyoming landscape, providing a high-elevation backdrop for the network of creeks and irrigation projects that sustained early ranching. Recorded in 1945, the map reveals a rugged western terrain where water management was essential, evidenced by the Howard Canal and numerous ditches flanking La Barge Creek and Fontenelle Creek. These waterways were the lifelines for established family operations, including the Facenelli Ranch, Herschler Ranch, and Jamison Ranch.

The prominence of Fort Hill and the passage through Fontenelle Gap highlight the strategic topography of the region. Distinctive ridges like Pine Ridge separate the various drainages of Muddy Creek, Delaney Creek, and Willow Creek. This survey captures the Lincoln County backcountry before modern development, preserving the locations of springs, trails, and ranch steadings that define the area's mid-century rural character.