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1952 Map of Muskrat Basin

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Muskrat Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

Beaver Rim serves as the dominant topographical feature of this Wyoming landscape, dividing the high plateau from the lower reaches of Muskrat Basin. The map captures a transition point in the Missouri River Basin development program, illustrating a sparse and functional high-desert terrain. Local industry and early settlement traces are visible through specific landmarks like the Sherlock Shearing Pens and the site of Indian Grove, indicating the importance of livestock and seasonal work in this corner of Fremont County.

A network of seasonal drainages, including Buffalo Creek, Muskrat Creek, and Tin Cup Creek, carves through the basin floor. These water sources, alongside Tin Cup Spring, provided the essential infrastructure for ranching operations in a dry environment. The presence of named draws such as Black Rock Draw and Cottonwood Draw suggests a landscape navigated by specific geographic landmarks in the early 1950s.