1966 Map of Knife River Mine

About this map

The Knife River Mine and extensive Strip Mines dominate the northern landscape of this Richland County survey, illustrating the industrial footprint of lignite mining in eastern Montana. Just south of the active excavations, the small settlement of Peabody sits along the Northern Pacific railroad line, which follows the drainage of Peabody Coulee. The terrain is characterized by a series of deep drainages including Garden Coulee and Beef Slough that cut through the breaks toward the river valley below.