1983 Map of Smoky Butte

About this map

Smoky Butte dominates the northern reaches of this eastern Montana landscape, anchoring a terrain defined by the complex drainage systems of the Missouri River watershed. The map details the winding course of Big Dry Creek as it moves through the heart of the quadrangle, joined by smaller tributaries like Lone Tree Creek, Dry Creek, and Smoky Butte Creek. These seasonal watercourses reveal the underlying geology of the region, where erosion has carved intricate patterns into the plains. For genealogists and local historians, the Hintner Cem in the southeastern portion of the sheet provides a tangible link to the early ranching and homesteading families who settled this part of Garfield County. The sparse distribution of man-made landmarks and the reliance on unimproved roads emphasize the vast, open character of the Montana prairie in the early 1980s.