1958 Map of Glasgow

About this map

Glasgow serves as the focal point for this mid-century survey of Northeastern Montana, where the Great Northern railroad dictates the rhythm of commerce along the Milk River. The map captures a transition in the landscape following the massive public works projects of the New Deal era, most notably the expansion of the Fort Peck Game Range and the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. A fascinating detail for local historians is the notation of New Deal (abandoned) and Wheeler (abandoned), two settlements that rose and fell with the construction of the nearby dam. To the north, the agricultural and ranching backbone of Valley County is evident through widely dispersed outposts like the Wendell Post Office and the isolated radar station near Opheim. From the livestock hubs at Malta Stockyards to the irrigation waters of Nelson Reservoir, the map documents an economy defined by rail access and river management.