1951 Map of Carney

About this map

The Yellowstone River cuts a prominent diagonal through this Sweet Grass County landscape, serving as the central artery for a ranching and transport corridor. In the early 1950s, the valley's agricultural productivity was sustained by a complex irrigation network including the Mayborn Ditch, Westfall Ditch, and Kellogg DITCH, which diverted water to the surrounding fields. The settlement of Carney and the presence of the Carney School and Bridge School reflect a community organized around the river and the Burlington Northern railroad line. To the east, the level terrain of Airport Flats contrasts with the broken coulees and drainages of Little Timber Creek and Whitetail Creek to the north. Smaller family operations like the Beley Ranch and Yost Ranch are noted, alongside the Hot Springs near Shed Creek, illustrating the intersection of natural resources and early Montana settlement patterns.