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1950 Map of Shippe Canyon

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Shippe Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

The Fort Peck Indian Reservation defines the southern portion of this landscape, where the northern plains are deeply etched by drainage systems like Richardson Coulee and Shippe Canyon. This 1950s-era topography reveals a sparse, resource-driven settlement pattern characterized by isolated infrastructure and small-scale extraction. Evidence of earlier coal mining is scattered throughout the area, with several Coal Mines (Inactive) and an individual Coal Mine (Inactive) noted, suggesting a shift away from local mineral production by the mid-20th century.

Water remains the primary geographical anchor, with the meandering course of Big Muddy Creek and Otter Creek providing essential reference points. Human activity is marked by functional landmarks such as a Windmill, a Drill Hole, and a Landing Strip near the reservation boundary. These features, along with the various springs and towers, illustrate the practical requirements of ranching and land management in Sheridan County.