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1973 Map of Whiskey Coulee

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Whiskey Coulee
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Whiskey Coulee carves through the transition between high plains and the deeply eroded breaks of central Montana, showing a landscape defined by seasonal drainage and isolated ranching operations. The terrain is marked by distinctive formations like The Chimneys and Castle Rocks, which serve as natural landmarks in a region where water sources are vital. Mapping reveals the critical importance of localized water, with Franks Spring, Chandler Spring, and School Section Spring providing essential resources for livestock and survival in this arid environment.

Evidence of early 1970s land use is found in the scattered headquarters of the Anderson Ranch and Smith Ranch, as well as the remote outpost of Shoemaker. The boundary lines of Phillips and Valley Counties and Blaine and Phillips Counties intersect here, highlighting the jurisdictional edges of this vast ranching country. A network of jeep trails and unimproved roads connects these remote points, following the natural contours shaped by Lone Tree Coulee and McKay Coulee.