1957 Map of Forsyth

About this map

Yellowstone River and Musselshell River valleys define this mid-century landscape of south-central Montana, where the regional economy is divided between river-bottom agriculture and upland resource extraction. The Northern Pacific and the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul & Pacific railroads parallel these major waterways, facilitating the growth of settlements like Forsyth and Hysham. A distinct industrial shift is evident in the northern reaches, marked by the North West Sumatra Oil Field and the Ragged Point Oil Field, signaling the importance of petroleum in addition to the traditional ranching and rail-based commerce. The vast, dissected plains are crisscrossed by numerous seasonal drainages such as Porcupine Creek, Sunday Creek, and the prominent Sun Coulee. Smaller railroad-dependent points like Ingomar and Sumatra dot the northern line, while the southern corridor along U S Highway 10 follows the fertile Yellowstone valley floor.