1965 Map of Emma Butte

About this map

Emma Butte stands as a prominent landmark in this mid-1960s landscape, presiding over the dry drainage patterns of central Garfield County. The map reveals a sparse, high-plains settlement pattern characterized by scattered wells and expansive sections, where water sources like Sand Creek and Indian Creek dictate the layout of the land. A significant cultural anchor is found at the Indian Creek Sch, a local schoolhouse serving the ranching families that occupied this stretch of the Montana prairie. Along the western edge, the terrain transitions toward McGinnis and McGinnis Creek, while Piney Ridge provides a distinct topographic boundary to the east. This survey captures a moment in time when rural educational centers and specific water improvements were the primary indicators of human presence in this remote grazing country.