1959 Map of Sanford Ranch

About this map

Sanford Ranch and the northern shores of the Pathfinder Reservoir define this high-desert landscape in Natrona County during the late 1950s. The map illustrates a crossroads of historical transit and modern resource extraction, where the ancient Emigrant Trail and Buzzard Trail traverse terrain marked by an Oil Well and a Gravel Pit. The topography is dominated by massive geological features like Black Rock Mountain and Steamboat Rock, while the Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge protects the wetlands and sagebrush around the reservoir. Water is a central theme in this arid environment, ranging from the flowing Sweetwater River to the seasonal basins of Steamboat Lake and Piaya Lake. A solitary Grave near the ranch site offers a poignant reminder of the early settlers and travelers who navigated this demanding Wyoming frontier.