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1967 Map of Holmes Ranch

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Holmes Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Holmes Ranch and Porter Ranch are the primary human focal points in this high-plains landscape of Big Horn County, mapped during the mid-1960s. The terrain is defined by a complex network of ephemeral drainages and broken ridges, where the Badger Hills rise in the southern portion of the quadrangle. This area of Montana shows a sparse ranching economy where settlement is dictated by the availability of water along the various forks and creeks.

A dense system of coulees and draws feeds into larger watercourses like Coal Creek, Corral Creek, and Deer Creek. The mapping reveals the remote nature of these cattle-rearing operations, connected by light-duty and unimproved roads. The topography is particularly detailed, showing the intricate erosion patterns leading toward the North Fork and South Fork drainage systems, providing a clear picture of the land as it was managed before modern developments reached this corner of the state.