1981 Map of Nelson Butte

About this map

Nelson Butte stands as the primary landmark in this drainage-heavy landscape on the border of Fallon and Carter Counties. Surveyed in the mid-1970s and edited in the early 1980s, the map reveals a rugged ranching territory defined by its network of intermittent waterways. The eastern edge is shaped by O'Fallon Creek, while numerous smaller tributaries like Mile Creek, Ash Creek, and Lone Tree Creek carve out the breaks and coulees characteristic of the region. The map captures a landscape of low density, where water sources and topography dictated the placement of ranch infrastructure. Trace the winding paths of Back Creek and Stump Creek as they navigate the elevations surrounding the namesake butte, providing a detailed record of the land use and natural boundaries in this corner of southeastern Montana.