1966 Map of Phillips Butte

About this map

Custer National Forest encompasses much of this southeastern Montana landscape, where the high plains break into a complex network of ridges and drainages. The 1966 data, photorevised in the 1980s, reveals a high density of water infrastructure essential for livestock and land management in this arid environment. Named reservoirs like Elk Creek Reservoir No 1 and Lyon Creek Divide Reservoir are joined by dozens of natural water sources, including Coal Mine Spring, Snell Spring, and Rock Spring. Prominent landmarks such as Phillips Butte and Diamond Butte define the horizon, while the terrain is deeply incised by Fifteenmile Creek and the forks of Elk Creek. This map documents a working landscape of the mid-20th century, where deep wells like the North Fork Taylor Creek Well and localized features like Jacobs Gulch supported ranching operations across the Powder River County rangeland.