1959 Map of North Star School

About this map

Family-run livestock operations define the landscape of eastern Campbell County, where the Belle Fourche River winds through the high plains. The social and educational hub for these dispersed homesteads is the centrally located North Star School, situated among a network of prominent ranches including the EMS Ranch, Lee Wright Ranch, and Ohman Ranch. These operations are supported by a complex system of water management features, such as the Threemile Creek Res and Little Wild Horse Res, which were critical for sustaining herds in this semi-arid environment. The topography is marked by distinctive landforms like the Wild Horse Slope and Black Butte, while the drainage patterns of Pearson Draw and Rocky Gulch dictate the placement of ranch houses and several Landing Area strips. This survey captures the rural ranching culture of Wyoming before the large-scale energy development of later decades.