1972 Map of Forks Ranch

About this map

Hanging Woman Creek defines the drainage pattern of this high plains ranching landscape in southeastern Montana. Surveyed in the early 1970s, the map centers on the Forks Ranch and reveals a remote environment where water management and cattle operations are paramount. Prominent landforms such as Hellers Peak, Hampton Butte, and Old Flat Top provided essential orientation for early settlers and ranchers in an area otherwise dominated by a complex network of ephemeral watercourses including Negro Draw and First Deadman Draw. The mapping of several Drill Holes and Wells points to the systematic exploration of subterranean resources and the necessity of water access for livestock. Navigating this terrain required an intricate system of Trails and Jeep Trails, showing how the local economy adapted to the broken topography of the Big Horn region.