1986 Map of Ryegate West

About this map

The Musselshell River winds through the heart of this Central Montana landscape, defining the corridor for the town of Ryegate. In the mid-1980s, the area's agricultural and transit roots are visible in the proximity of the river to the Old RR Grade. To the north, the small settlement of Franklin sits near the headwaters of Careless Creek, while the Golden Valley Colony is established in the southern portion of the quadrangle near Fish Creek. The map details the hydrology of the region, including the Deadmans Basin Outlet and its relationship to the surrounding drainage basins. Local infrastructure is noted by a Landing Strip and a Cem near the river, reflecting the essential services for these rural communities. The presence of a Gravel Pit and radio towers suggests the small-scale industrial and communication needs of the era.