1960 Map of Red Lake

About this map

The Red Desert Basin dominates this interior Wyoming landscape, characterized by a complex network of intermittent drainage and shifting topography in the early 1960s. The northern reaches are defined by a large expanse of Sand Dunes near Red Lake, while the eastern margin is shaped by the prominent curve of Horseshoe Bend. Human activity in this arid environment is concentrated around seasonal agriculture and early energy exploration, evidenced by Blake Sheep Camp and several scattered Gas Wells and Oil Wells. The transportation network is sparse, consisting primarily of the Luman Road and various Jeep Trails that navigate through features like Chalk Butte and across Dugout Draw. These paths and isolated sites like Saxon offer a detailed look at the resource-driven settlement patterns of Sweetwater County before modern infrastructure further altered the high desert floor.