1951 Map of Indian Butte

About this map

The Wind River Indian Reservation dominates this central Wyoming landscape, where the Wind River carves through the northern reaches of the quadrangle. In the early 1950s, the region was defined by a mix of infrastructure and natural water sources essential for survival in the arid high plains. The Chicago and North Western rail line runs parallel to the river, supported by a system of utility corridors including a telephone line and a pipe line. To the south, the topography rises toward the prominent Indian Butte. The presence of several named water sources, such as Gerton Spring, Drip Spring, and Horsethief Springs near Horsethief Gulch, indicates the critical importance of localized hydrology for ranching or indigenous land use during this era. Traceable transit routes like Nebo Road provide a record of early desert navigation and resource extraction, including a small Gravel Pit.