1968 Map of Merino

About this map

Merino and its surrounding high plains are defined by the intricate water management and transportation routes of central Wyoming. This late 1960s landscape shows a reliance on stock water and irrigation, evidenced by features like North Thirtythree Mile Reservoir and Sherrod Reservoir. The terrain is characterized by a series of drainages, including Austin Draw and Bayer Draw, which flow toward the larger Castle Creek. A notable artifact of earlier industry and transport is the Old Grade Railroad, which traces a path across the quadrangle alongside the contemporary Thirtythree Mile Road. Evidence of mineral exploration appears in the form of scattered Drill Hole and Oil Well sites, marking the intersection of traditional ranching geography with Wyoming's energy economy. The topography rises toward a prominent Divide in the south, influencing the direction of seasonal flows through Hemingway Draw and Statzer Draw.