1972 Map of Iron Spring

About this map

The Red Hills rise above a landscape defined by an intricate network of coulees and seasonal drainages along the border of Treasure and Big Horn counties. In the early 1970s, this portion of Montana remained primarily open rangeland, marked by isolated infrastructure such as a substation and various gravel pits. The Burlington Northern railroad corridor follows the path of Sarpy Creek in the eastern section of the map, providing a vital transportation link through this sparsely populated territory. Numerous named water features like Iron Spring, Kray Coulee Spring, and Cottonwood Creek indicate the critical importance of water sources in this arid terrain. The presence of several drill holes and wells suggests ongoing resource exploration or agricultural development during this period of the twentieth century.