1990 Map of Cadle Butte

About this map

The Ochoco Mountains define the character of this interior Oregon landscape, where the Ochoco National Forest boundary separates managed timberland from private agricultural holdings. In the late 20th century, this area remained defined by its ranching history and isolated homesteads. The Keystone Ranch sits along the southern hills, while small named locales such as Watkins, Marks, and Ochoco follow the narrow drainage of Ochoco Creek as it winds through the mountains. These small clusters of structures represent the sparse but vital settlement pattern of Crook County, anchored to the water sources and grazing lands. Geologic features like Cadle Butte and Valpey Butte serve as primary landmarks for land navigation, while the complex network of creeks, including Veazie Creek and Lawson Creek, reveals the drainage pattern of the southern Ochoco range. The transition from the high ridges down to Dixie Meadows illustrates the local reliance on alluvial plains for seasonal livestock use and early homesteading.