1990 Map of Rail Creek Butte

About this map

Rail Creek Butte stands as a prominent geographic center point within the heavily forested terrain of Grant County, Oregon. This 1990 provisional map documents a landscape defined by its intricate drainage systems and seasonal high-altitude meadows. To the north, Bear Valley opens up, hosting the Koehler Ranch near the banks of Shirttail Creek. The map provides a detailed view of the Malheur National Forest, where numerous water sources like Officer Springs and Flat Creek Spring emerge from the slopes. The southern portion is characterized by wide riparian zones including Myrtle Park Meadows and Crooked Creek Meadows, which suggest a history of grazing and water management in the region. Several family-named or descriptive features such as Jack Andy Creek and Burntcabin Creek offer clues to early homesteading and land use patterns in this part of the Blue Mountains.