1974 Map of Squaretop Butte

About this map

Squaretop Butte and its neighbor Little Squaretop Butte rise above a deeply eroded badlands landscape in this mid-1970s survey. The map details the complex drainage systems that define the area, showing how the headwaters of Magpie Creek and Whitetail Creek cut through the high plains near the border of McKenzie and Billings counties. In the northern reaches, the Sand Creek drainage is overlooked by Rhoades, while prominent landmarks like Tower Butte and Cedar Top Butte provide distinct vertical relief in the central and western sections. The terrain is marked by a network of unimproved roads and cattle guards, reflecting the ranching character of this part of North Dakota. For the researcher, the map captures the precise location of ranch buildings and water features such as Anderson Coulee and North Creek at a time of relatively sparse human development.