1970 Map of Russell Chapel

About this map

Russell Chapel stands as a focal point in this portion of Chouteau County, where the high plains transition into the drainage of Dugout Coulee. The landscape is defined by its agricultural utility, marked by family holdings like the Bar Z F Ranch and Stewart Ranch, and the expansive terrain of Sample Flat. This 1970s survey, conducted for the development of the Missouri River Basin, reveals a sparsely settled but organized ranching environment. Transportation and logistics of the era are visible through the inclusion of a Landing Strip near the northern coulee and a local Gravel Pit. Genealogists may find particular value in the location of the Sample Flat Cem, a remote burial site that anchors the history of the surrounding plateau. The map's detail on ephemeral water sources, such as various unnamed springs and the North Fork Dugout Coulee, illustrates the critical importance of water management in this arid Montana country.