1958 Map of Collins Ranch

About this map

The Collins Ranch and other scattered homesteads including Browning Ranch and Wittmayer Ranch anchor this landscape of the Missouri River Basin just as the postwar era brought systematic water management to the high plains. The terrain is defined by an intricate network of drainage coulees, such as Pearson Coulee and Browning Coulee, and the significant elevation changes at Shufeldt Ridge and Seventh Ridge. A complex system of small-scale irrigation and stock water is evident through the numerous reservoirs like Divide Reservoir, Bomber Reservoir, and Cottonwood Reservoir. To the south, the map details the northern reaches of the Fort Peck Game Range near the Fort Peck Reservoir, showing the transition from grazing rangelands to protected conservation areas. Genealogists may find interest in the specific ranch locations and landmarks like Graveyard Hill, while the presence of the Virgelle Road and various gravel pits indicates the infrastructure supporting this isolated ranching community.