2020 Map of Alder

About this map

The Ruby River valley defines this landscape in Madison County, where a complex network of historic irrigation channels like the McFadden Ditch, Putnam Ditch, and Combs-Ditch Number-Two supports local agriculture. The settlements of Laurin, Ruby, and Alder are central hubs in this high-plains environment, connected by historic routes such as Mill Gulch Rd and Upper Ruby Rd. For genealogists and local historians, the map preserves the locations of the Laurin Cem and Taylor Cem, as well as named topographic features like The Island and Dry Hollow. The rugged eastern terrain is marked by numerous draws including Australia Gulch and the famous Alder Gulch, reflecting the area's rich history of water management and early Montana settlement patterns.