1893 Map of Fort Steele

About this map

The North Platte River winds through the high Wyoming terrain in this late nineteenth-century reconnaissance, dominated by the crucial corridor of the Union Pacific Ry. Topographer Willard D. Johnson and geographer A.H. Thompson documented the region as coal mining and rail infrastructure defined its emerging economy. Settlement patterns follow the iron rail, from the mining center at Hanna to the remote siding at Dana. The map captures the significant elevation changes of the Carbon County landscape, anchoring the eastern view with the towering presence of Elk Mt and Sheephead Mt. Along the river, the post of Fort Steele serves as a historic waypoint where the rail line crosses the water, while smaller stops like Walcott and St Mary mark the transition between the river valley and the high plains. Tributaries such as Rattlesnake Creek and Pass Creek drain the slopes of the surrounding peaks, illustrating the vital water network in this arid environment.