1950 Map of Hylton Ranch

About this map

Hylton Ranch serves as a central waypoint in this 1950 landscape, which documents the remote ranching and energy-extraction territory of Converse County. The map captures a transitional moment for local industry, specifically identifying a Coal Mine (Inactive) alongside an active Coal Mine. This juxtaposition provides a clear record of changing resource use in the Missouri River Basin during the mid-century period. Transport in the region is defined by the Glenrock-Ross Road, which cuts through the high desert terrain. Water management, critical for both livestock and mining operations, is marked by features like the Sand Creek Reservoir, Sand Creek, and the seasonally variable Dry Lake. Elevations rise toward the descriptive landmark Top of the World, while numerous windmills scattered across the quadrangle indicate the infrastructure necessary to sustain the ranching economy in this arid environment.