1979 Map of Melstone
USGS Topo · Published 1979About this map
Melstone and the surrounding ranching country of Central Montana are anchored by the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad line, which parallels the winding course of the Musselshell River. This 1979 revision, compiled from earlier 1960s surveys, documents a landscape of high plains and coulees where small rail settlements like Sumatra, Ingomar, and Bascom provided critical shipping points for the region. The terrain is marked by distinctive formations such as Rattlesnake Butte, Crown Butte, and the oddly named Hole-in-the-Rock near Acorn Flats. Water sources are vital in this arid environment, evidenced by named springs like Blood Springs and the managed waters of the Blacktail Reservoir. This map serves as a record of a transitional era for the northern plains, showing the interplay between the established railroad corridors and the expansive network of creeks like Flatwillow Creek and Porcupine Creek that define the county boundaries of Musselshell, Rosebud, and Petroleum.
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Editions of this 1979 Melstone Map
This is the sole edition of this map. No revisions or reprints were ever made.
Historical Maps of Melstone Through Time
7 maps found
