1953 Map of Big Bend School

About this map

Big Bend School and Eagle Butte School anchor this rural landscape in Chouteau County, mapped during the mid-century as part of a development program for the Missouri River Basin. The terrain is defined by deep erosion and dramatic elevation changes, most notably at The Sag and the steep walls of Rattlesnake Coulee. Named landmarks like Chimney Rock and Black Rock serve as distinct navigational points amidst the complex network of drainage systems including Jackson Coulee and Homestead Coulee. The presence of McCullen Spring highlights the critical importance of water sources in this dry, high-plains environment. This survey captures a specific moment in Montana's agricultural history, showing the distribution of isolated schools and homesteads before the further consolidation of rural districts.