1950 Map of Gilbert Lake

About this map

Sage Creek and its complex drainage patterns dominate this mid-century survey of the Wyoming cattle country. The landscape is defined by the agricultural and ranching infrastructure of the late 1940s, most notably at the Smith Ranch and the extensive Gilbert Ditch system designed to manage water in this arid environment. Transportation through the rolling rangeland is anchored by the winding Ross Road and Highland Loop Road, providing access to isolated outposts. A notable piece of industrial development appears in the southern portion of the quadrangle, where a Pipe Line cuts across the terrain, reflecting the energy infrastructure emerging in the post-war Missouri River Basin. Dozens of windmills are meticulously plotted across the map, marking critical water sources for livestock across these townships.