1965 Map of Hillside

About this map

Hillside sits at the heart of this Montana landscape, a small settlement defined by its position among the branching drainages of Garfield County. Surveyed in the mid-1960s, the area is characterized by an intricate network of coulees and creeks that dictated the movement of early ranchers and travelers. The terrain is carved by Thompson Creek, which runs north-to-south, and is joined by several seasonal waterways including Todd Coulee and Artz Coulee. These features represent the classic topography of the Missouri River Breaks region, where water sources were the primary anchor for homesteading and grazing. The map meticulously documents several wells and small reservoirs, such as those along Red Butte Creek, reflecting the essential water management practices of the era. The presence of Bickels Coulee and Douglas Coulee in the southern reaches further illustrates the corrugated nature of this prairie country.