Loading map...

1953 Map of North Butte

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of North Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The Pumpkin Buttes rise prominently above the Wyoming plains in this mid-century topographic survey, produced in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission. This specific interest from the Commission points to the era's focus on uranium exploration within the Powder River Basin. The high plateau of North Butte and the adjacent Dome Butte dominate the central landscape, surrounded by a network of drainage systems including Willow Creek, Hartzog Draw, and South Prong Pumpkin Creek.

Evidence of remote ranching life is scattered across the township, with the Christensen Ranch and Pfister Ranch serving as primary landmarks for local history and genealogy. A private landing field near the Christensen property highlights the reliance on light aircraft for transport and surveying in this expansive territory. Throughout the sections, numerous windmills signify the vital infrastructure needed to sustain livestock in an arid environment defined by landmarks like Pistol Point.