1956 Map of Highwood

About this map

Highwood and the surrounding grain-producing highlands are defined by the winding course of the Missouri River and the industrial infrastructure of the mid-1950s. The Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad bisects the landscape, serving agricultural stops like Waltham and Lander Crossing. This survey illustrates the intensive water management of the era, visible in the Birkeland Reservoir and Rice Reservoir, alongside significant topographical features such as Shepherd Butte and its namesake Shepherd Butte Sch. The confluence of Belt Creek and numerous deep-cut drainage systems like Widow Coulee and Black Coulee underscores the intricate hydrology of the Chouteau and Cascade county borderlands. The road network, including the Highwood Road, connects rural outposts like Rogers and Four Corners, providing a clear view of the transport and ranching patterns during this period of Montana's development.