1961 Map of Earls Gulch

About this map

The Beaverhead River and the Big Hole River converge in a wide valley floor, marking the boundary between Madison Co and Beaverhead Co. This 1961 field-checked survey reveals an era of ranching and early industry along the western slopes of McCartney Mountain. The landscape is etched with irrigation efforts like the Pendergast Ditch and Gallagher Ditch, which support several family operations including the Kalsta Ranch and McCullough Ranch. Resource extraction is evident south of Brownes Gulch, where a Tungsten Mill and several mines are located near Sassman Gulch. The Union Pacific railroad corridor parallels the water, providing a vital transport link through this ranching territory. The presence of a Strip Mine and various mines suggests a shift from agriculture to mineral exploration in the mid-20th century.