1948 Map of Ragged Top Mountain

About this map

High mountain ranching and early mineral exploration define this landscape along the border of Albany Co and Laramie Co. At the time of this 1948 field check, the terrain was characterized by a network of family-held operations such as King Brothers Ranch, Harry Brown Ranch, and the McKechnie Ranch. The map captures a moment when resource extraction and livestock management shaped the local economy, evidenced by the Feldspar Strip Mine and the Warren Livestock Summer Camp. To the south, the Lincoln Highway and Telephone Road mark the vital transportation corridors cutting through the Medicine Bow National Forest. The presence of the University Quarry and several labeled mines indicates the geological significance of the area, while the remote Schoolhouse and numerous springs like Artillery Spring suggest the self-sufficiency required of these high-altitude settlements.