1913 Map of Grass Creek Basin

About this map

Grass Creek Basin defines the landscape of this pre-WWI Wyoming survey, revealing a region dominated by widely dispersed homesteads and livestock operations. The topography is marked by significant drainages such as Gooseberry Creek, Grass Creek, and Cottonwood Creek, which provide the lifeblood for isolated outposts like Dickie Ranch and Richman's Ranch. The distribution of these family-named properties, including Mayfield's Ranch and Gwynn's Ranch, suggests a ranching economy where water rights were paramount. Industrial activity is limited but present at the Putney Mine, while distinctive geological features such as Crater Sink and the Gumbo Hills characterize the varied terrain. The inclusion of Wales Reservoir and Wagonhound Spring highlights the critical importance of managed water resources in this arid environment before modern development changed the basin.