1952 Map of Burns Mountain

About this map

Argenta Flats and the high peaks of Burns Mountain dominate this mid-century survey of Beaverhead County, revealing a landscape defined by ranching and resource extraction. The map documents several established family holdings, including the Christensen Ranch and the John Shaffner Ranch, while the presence of the Tenmile House indicates long-standing travel corridors through the region. Water management is critical in this high-altitude terrain, illustrated by the Dillon Reservoir and a network of essential water sources like School Section Spring and Magpie Spring. The topography transitions from the open flats into the steep rises of Timber Butte, carved by drainages such as Ermont Gulch and Rattlesnake Creek. This edition, updated in the late 1970s, preserves the mid-century layout of jeep trails and telephone lines that supported the local ranching economy.