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1983 Map of Circle SW

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Circle SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The Redwater River and its complex network of tributaries define this part of McCone County, Montana. This 1983 manuscript drawing shows a landscape primarily shaped by water and elevation, where seasonal drainages like Antelope Creek, Stony Butte Creek, and Ash Creek carve into the prairie. The presence of Landing Strips suggests the importance of light aircraft for navigating this expansive ranching country, while a lonely Cem label indicates a historic burial site for the area's early homesteading families.

Prominent terrain features like Stony Butte provide local landmarks in a region where travel followed the natural contours of the land. The map details the confluence of Tusler Creek and Dry Ash Creek, illustrating the intricate drainage patterns that supported the local cattle industry. This provisional survey captures the rural character of eastern Montana before modern infrastructure significantly altered the traditional landscape.