1954 Map of Forsyth

About this map

The Yellowstone River and Musselshell River valleys anchor this mid-century survey of eastern Montana, where the regional economy was defined by the intersection of rail transport and emerging energy production. The Northern Pacific and Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroads parallel these river systems, supporting ranching hubs and siding communities such as Forsyth, Ingomar, and Sumatra. The discovery of petroleum is evident in the western portion of the map, specifically within the North West Sumatra Oil Field and Ragged Point Oil Field, signaling a shift toward industrial extraction in an otherwise pastoral landscape.