1980 Map of Red Desert Basin

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high desert landscape, marking a critical geographic spine in Southwestern Wyoming. By the late 1970s, the corridor along the Union Pacific railroad and Interstate 80 defined the region's human geography, connecting a string of small settlements and industrial outposts. Historically significant routes like the Overland Trail are visible, tracing a path south of the tracks through a territory of vast alkali flats and prominent geologic features. In the northwest, the Leucite Hills rise with distinctive landmarks such as Steamboat Mountain and Zirkel Mesa. The map captures the industrial character of the era, from the coal-mining roots of Superior and South Superior to the rail stops at Point of Rocks, Black Buttes, and Bitter Creek. This arid basin is further defined by its complex drainage systems, including Deadman Wash and Dugout Draw, which cut through the extensive Sand Dunes stretching across the northern horizon.