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1950 Map of Shotgun Butte

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Shotgun Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Wind River Indian Reservation lands dominate this mid-century landscape, illustrating the intersection of ranching life and federal water management in central Wyoming. The map records a series of named ranching outposts, including Cannonball Ranch, Merriam Ranch, and Arapahoe Ranch, which reflect the early 20th-century settlement patterns of the region. A notable genealogical marker is found at Shotgun Ranch (Aban'd), recorded as abandoned by the time of the 1948 aerial photography used for this survey.

Water management is central to the terrain, evidenced by the Riverton Reclamation Project (Withdrawal Area) and the network of canals such as the Ditch near Arapahoe Reservoir. The drainage system is defined by Muddy Creek and Shotgun Creek, which flow around the prominent landmark of Shotgun Butte. This survey serves as a clear record of the area's transition into a more structured agricultural landscape through irrigation projects and established grazing lands.