1972 Map of Negro Butte

About this map

Negro Butte rises above the high plains where Johnson and Campbell counties meet in northeast Wyoming. This 1972 survey documents a landscape defined by its vital water sources and subterranean resources, centered around the Beaver Creek Ranch and the winding course of Beaver Creek. The map records an extensive network of industrial and agricultural infrastructure, notably identifying specific water and mineral extraction points including Parker Well, Staley Well, and the School Section Well. The drainage patterns of Pumpkin Creek and Culp Draw illustrate the local topography as it supported ranching and early energy exploration during the Missouri River Basin development program. These specific named landmarks and the presence of a significant pipeline reveal the area's dual role as a traditional ranching territory and an emerging corridor for resource transport in the early 1970s.