1952 Map of Gas Hills

About this map

The Gas Hills of central Wyoming define this 1952 topographic study, showing a landscape of high desert drainage and early industrial exploration. The map captures the rugged interior of the Dutton Basin just as the region began to draw attention for its mineral potential, though at this date the human footprint is limited to scattered infrastructure like the Pipe Line and several Oil Well (Aband) sites. The stark topography is dominated by the massive Beaver Rim escarpment in the south, which creates a dramatic natural boundary between the basin floor and the higher plateaus. Hydrology is central to the area's layout, with numerous drainage features such as Fraser Draw and West Canyon Creek feeding into isolated stock water locations like Medicine Springs Reservoir and Iron Springs Reservoir. The boundary between Fremont Co and Natrona Co cuts across the northeastern and southern sections, marking the political lines in this largely uninhabited territory.