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1953 Map of Hightower SW

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Hightower SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

The Laramie River and its complex network of seasonal tributaries define this Platte County landscape during the mid-20th century. Highlighting the intersection of ranching and early infrastructure, the map details the Cramer Ditch and Mertz Ditch systems, which provided essential water management for the arid terrain. Settlement patterns are visible through the location of the Wedemeyer School and Slate Creek Sch, both noted as abandoned by the time of the 1953 field check, suggesting a shift in the local rural population.

Industrial activity is centered at the Marble Quarry near the northern edge of the Medicine Bow National Forest. The map traces vital transport routes like Palmer Canyon Road and Scranton Road, which navigated the varied elevations between VABM 5600 Ridge and the Dry Laramie River. Numerous windmills and small reservoirs, including Mertz Res and Attebury Res, underscore the area's primary reliance on livestock and water rights.