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1902 Map of Little Belt Mts.

Name: 1902 Topographic Map of Little Belt Mts.
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1932
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1932

About this map

White Sulphur Springs serves as a central hub in this turn-of-the-century landscape, positioned between the high peaks of the Little Belt Mountains and the northern reaches of the Crazy Mountains. This reconnaissance survey, compiled from data gathered in the 1880s and 1890s, documents a region defined by its mineral wealth and nascent mountain settlements. The presence of the Sapphire Mine near the northern boundary and mining-oriented locations like Copperopolis and Leadboro illustrates the extractive industry that drove early development in Central Montana.

Along the waterways such as the Musselshell River and Judith River, small outposts like Martinsdale and Utica provided essential connection points for ranchers and travelers. The map also delineates the extensive early boundaries of the Jefferson National Forest and Absaroka National Forest, reflecting the era's transition toward federal land management. From the rail-adjacent stop at Dorsey to the high elevations of Crazy Peak, this sheet offers a comprehensive view of Meagher County's rugged geography before the modern highway system reshaped travel through the gaps.