1971 Map of Open A Ranch

About this map

Open A Ranch sits at the heart of this high plains landscape in Campbell County, Wyoming, during the early 1970s. The region is defined by an intricate network of drainages and ranching infrastructure, including several named water catchments like Spath Reservoir, Smith Reservoir, and The Robb Reservoir. The survey captures the early footprint of industrial activity in the basin, with several Drill Holes and an Oil Well plotted across the prairie. The topography is shaped by the winding courses of Black Thunder Creek and its tributary Little Black Thunder Creek, which served as critical water sources for local livestock operations. Transport through this sparse terrain relied on dedicated routes such as Keeline Road and Little Thunder Road, while numerous pipelines reflect the area's emerging energy development. To the north, the Edwards Ranch and the ephemeral Hay Lakes mark the quiet, open character of the Wyoming rangeland before later large-scale mining shifted the landscape.