1962 Map of Maxwell Ranch

About this map

The Musselshell River carves a sharp, meandering path through the northern reaches of this central Montana landscape, marking a triple-county juncture where Petroleum, Garfield, and Rosebud Counties meet. Historically tied to the open-range ranching era, the area is anchored by the Maxwell Ranch and a network of drainage systems including North Willow Creek and Mud Springs Creek. This 1962 survey reveals a terrain defined by its complex coulees, such as Dutton Coulee and Circle Bar Coulee, which provided natural shelter and water for cattle in a semi-arid environment. The presence of a Pipeline and a solitary Drill Hole reflects the mid-century expansion of mineral exploration and utility infrastructure across the high plains. The map's layout demonstrates the intersection of natural river boundaries with the rigid township and range lines of the public land survey system.