1968 Map of Blackleaf

About this map

Blackleaf sits near the base of the eastern Front Range in Teton County, where the plains meet the foothills. This 1968 field-checked survey illustrates a landscape of complex drainage systems, characterized by numerous coulees and the intricate forks of the Marias River. The small settlement of Blackleaf is positioned along the banks of Blackleaf Creek, an area where the terrain begins its sharp transition into higher elevations. A Gravel Pit near the creek indicates the small-scale extractive activity typical of this region's local economy during the late 1960s. The map reveals how the land is dissected by seasonal waterways such as Woods Coulee, Jensen Coulee, and English Coulee, which define the ranching and agricultural patterns of the area. Landforms like Swanson Ben provide distinct topographic markers in a territory otherwise dominated by the winding paths of the Middle Fork Dry Fork Marias River and the South Fork Dry Fork Marias River.