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1955 Map of Baker

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Baker
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The Snake River carves a dramatic path through this mid-century portrait of the borderlands between Oregon and Idaho, where the industrial legacy of the West is etched into the landscape. Along the rugged slopes near Baker, sites like the Flagstaff Mine and Virtue Mine mark the enduring mining heritage of the area, while the Oregon Trail Hist Mon serves as a reminder of the pioneers who first traversed these mountain passes. The map documents a period of significant hydroelectric and water management development, showing the Oxbow Reservoir and Brownlee Reservoir along the river's course, alongside the Cascade Reservoir further east in Idaho.

Agricultural and logistical networks are clearly defined, from the scattered ranches and small settlements like Richland and Cambridge to the vital Union Pacific RR line. Scientific and conservation efforts are represented by the Blue Mountain Seismological Station and the Deer Flat NWR. This record provides a window into a geography shaped by the demands of timber, minerals, and the taming of the river.