1955 Map of Sandborn Creek

About this map

The Stillwater River valley in South Central Montana is defined here by a sophisticated network of irrigation systems developed in the mid-20th century. The intricate placement of the Weir-Crawford Ditch, Mendenhall Ditch, and Tintinger Ditch illustrates the vital water management required for ranching and agriculture along the riverbanks. To the south, Fladberg Bench rises above the valley floor, while the landscape is dotted with small-scale rural infrastructure like Spring Creek Sch and Kent Lake Sch. These schoolhouses, along with family-named features like the Phelps Ditch and Brey Riddle Ditch, provide specific touchstones for genealogists tracing local families during this era of rural development. The map also captures several major drainages, including Jack Stone Creek and Countryman Creek, which cut through the hills of the Sweet Grass and Stillwater county border.