1971 Map of Saddle Horse Butte

About this map

Saddle Horse Butte overlooks a landscape of petroleum extraction and livestock ranching in the early 1970s. The region is defined by the Big Hand Oil Field and Basin Oil Field, where numerous Oil Wells and drill holes dot the terrain between the Belle Fourche River and Caballo Creek. This is a working landscape of the high plains, where the Burlington Northern railroad cuts through the northern sections to serve the area's industrial needs. Water management is central to the land's utility, evidenced by a network of private water sources like Knowland Reservoir, Tisdale Stock Reservoir, and Enyard Reservoir. The presence of the T 7 Ranch and its associated T 7 Road suggests the enduring footprint of family ranching operations amidst the developing energy infrastructure of Campbell County.