1949 Map of Spring Creek

About this map

Horseshoe Creek and its complex network of irrigation ditches dominate the lower elevations of this Platte County landscape, reflecting the agricultural adaptation required in the Wyoming basin during the late 1940s. The terrain is defined by a series of named drainages, including Spring Creek, Whiskey Gulch, and the winding Middle Bear Creek to the south. Higher elevations are anchored by Pollard Hill, while numerous unnamed windmills and a specific Water Tank suggest the vital infrastructure for livestock and ranching. The topographic detail reveals a landscape of deep draws and seasonal flows, such as Reeder Draw and Sand Draw, which channel runoff from the ridgelines. This 1949 survey, field-checked just after the war, captures the essential water-rights and land-use patterns of the era, from the distinct North Coyote Creek to the various springs that supported early development in the region.