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1951 Map of Y U Bench NE

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Y U Bench NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

The Greybull River valley carves through the high desert of the Bighorn Basin, revealing an intricate network of early 1950s irrigation and ranching infrastructure. This landscape is defined by its massive plateaus, specifically Y U Bench and Emblem Bench, which tower over the river bottom. The survival of local agriculture at this time was dependent on complex water diversions, including the Burlington Canal, Farmers Canal, and the Meeteetse Ditch.

Evidence of a shifting community is visible near the Park and Big Horn County line, where the map identifies Fenton and the Fenton School (Abandoned), indicating a settlement that had already begun to recede. Ranching operations like the Thayer Ranch and Grabbert Corral are noted, alongside family-named access routes such as Jimmerfield Road and Old Smith Road. To the north, the terrain rises sharply toward Bridger Butte, a prominent landmark overlooking Dry Creek.