1971 Map of Ball Coulee

About this map

The Judith River flows through the southern reaches of this landscape, carving through a region defined by the Ridge and deep coulees within the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. This 1971 field-checked survey reveals a quiet, dispersed settlement pattern marked by several small family or community burial grounds, including Messerly Cem and Kirkaldie Cem. The terrain is characterized by seasonal drainage systems such as Lone Tree Coulee and Ball Coulee, which channel water toward larger bodies like the Government Field Reservoir. Further south, Chopwood Cem and Big Warm Cem sit near the banks of Big Warm Creek, providing specific points of interest for genealogists tracing local history along the border of Phillips and Blaine counties. The map effectively documents the transition from open range to localized landmarks along the river breaks.