1962 Map of Grassy Butte

About this map

Middle Butte and Gold Butte dominate this northern Montana landscape, situated along the county line between Toole Co and Liberty Co. The terrain is defined by a dense network of coulees and seasonal water sources, such as Jack McDonald Coulee and Sleeper Coulee, which drain toward the larger Big Coulee. This 1962 field-checked survey reveals an era of established ranching and nascent energy infrastructure, marked by family-named properties like the T C Morris Ranch and Purnell Ranch alongside several gas wells and an aboveground pipeline. The presence of Chicago Lake and various springs, including Alkali Spring and Strawberry Spring, highlights the critical importance of water management for the livestock operations that utilized the trails and the Whitlash Road across this arid range.