1952 Map of Yankee Gulch

About this map

The Wagonroad Ridge divides this high-altitude landscape of Rio Blanco County, where steep drainages and isolated ranching outposts defined life in the mid-20th century. This 1952 field survey captures the area during a period of transition, noting the presence of a Shale Test Well—a concrete indicator of the geological exploration that would eventually transform the region's energy economy. Settlement is sparse, represented by family-named landmarks such as Reigle Ranch and Duckett Ranch, which were established along the reliable water sources of Ryan Gulch and Black Sulphur Creek. The intricate network of seasonal drainages, including Wet Swizer Gulch and Eureka Gulch, illustrates the complex topography that dictated movement and land use. For historians and researchers, these labels provide a precise record of early 1950s resource management and livestock operations before modern development altered the character of the gulches.