1953 Map of Boggs Island

About this map

The Missouri River carves a deep arc through this Chouteau County landscape, defining the topography south of the Virgelle settlement. Published as part of the Department of the Interior's development program for the Missouri River Basin, the survey captures a rural Montana network of small schools and river crossings. Boggs Island sits prominently in the river channel, just west of the Virgelle Ferry crossing point. The upland plains north of the river are segmented by deep drainage features like Dry Fork Coulee and Spring Coulee. This mid-century view shows a sparse distribution of educational landmarks serving the ranching community, including the Mt Vernon School and the Little School (Abbott). Higher elevations are marked by primary survey points like VABM 3083 Carp and VABM 2748 Coal Bank, which overlook the dramatic breaks leading down to the water.