1984 Map of Garland Creek

About this map

Cottonwood Creek and Garland Creek define the drainage patterns of this Phillips County landscape, captured during a 1979 field check. The terrain is characterized by intricate contouring that illustrates the eroded breaks and coulees typical of this part of Montana. These watercourses were the primary landmarks for early homesteaders and ranchers in the region, serving as critical reference points for land claims and navigation across the plains. As a provisional map based on 1975 aerial photography, it provides a precise look at the rural section lines and unimproved trails that structured the ranching economy of the mid-1980s.