1967 Map of Fail Ranch

About this map

The Musselshell River carves a winding path through the heart of the Montana ranchlands, serving as the primary geographic feature that defines this landscape. This mid-century survey illustrates the rural infrastructure along the border of Petroleum and Garfield counties, where isolated outposts like Fail Ranch and Moss Ranch anchor the river bends. The map provides a detailed view of the Cat Creek Oil Field, documenting the industrial footprint of petroleum extraction through numerous marked Drill Holes and supporting Gravel Pits. A dense network of seasonal drainages, including Wagner Coulee, Long Coulee, and Jackson Coulee, dissects the terrain, revealing the complex erosion patterns characteristic of the northern plains. This record is particularly valuable for tracing historical property boundaries and the spatial relationship between water sources and early energy exploration.