1972 Map of Shonkin

About this map

Shonkin and the smaller locality of Frenchie anchor this early 1970s topographic study of Chouteau County. The landscape is defined by the winding course of Shonkin Creek as it flows toward the expansive Shonkin Lake. The presence of the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad line running alongside the lake illustrates the vital transportation corridor used for moving agricultural goods through this part of Montana. Clusters of Storage Bins near the tracks further emphasize the area's role in the regional grain economy. To the southeast, Sand Lake and a nearby Gravel Pit highlight the localized natural resources and water features that shaped settlement patterns and land use in this high plains environment during the mid-20th century.