1963 Map of Alder

About this map

The Ruby Valley irrigation network defines this 1963 survey of Madison County, showing an intricate system of water management including the Vigilante Canal, West Bench Canal, and numerous family-named channels like the Phillips Ditch and Putnam Ditch. This hydraulic landscape supports the settlements of Laurin and the area near the Alder Rest Home, situated where Alder Gulch meets the valley floor. The Northern Pacific railroad line runs parallel to the Ruby River, serving a region marked by both agricultural persistence and mineral interests, such as the St Lawrence Mine in the eastern uplands. Genealogists will find significant value in the documentation of local burial sites, including the Laurin Cem, Ruby Cem, and Taylor Cem, which anchor the historical record of these Montana communities.