1958 Map of Avon

About this map

The Little Blackfoot River carves a critical path through this mid-century landscape, serving as the corridor for the Northern Pacific railroad and the primary settlement at Avon. To the northeast, the mountains of the Helena National Forest rise toward the Continental Divide, revealing a history of extraction with the Blackfoot City (Ghost Town) and various Placer Mines along Ophir Creek. This area illustrates the transition from high-mountain mining to valley ranching, evidenced by the Shearing Plant situated along the river west of Spotted Dog Creek. Prospectors and historians can trace the distribution of numerous workings, from the Gimlet Mine and Luke Mine on the slopes of Luke Mountain to the Victory Mine near the county line. The map captures a rugged topography defined by deep drainages like Homestead Gulch and Deep Gulch, marking the intersection of resource industry and the transport networks of the Montana interior.