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1894 Map of Bisuka

Name: 1894 Topographic Map of Bisuka
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1898
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1898

About this map

The Oregon Short Line Railroad cuts a diagonal path through this arid Idaho landscape, connecting early settlements like Bisuka and Kuna during a period of expanding western transit. The northern portion of the map, situated in Ada County, is defined by the steady convergence of the rail line and Indian Creek, while the southwestern section drops dramatically into the canyon of the Snake River. This deep gorge separates the plateau from the territory of Owyhee County, where the small settlement of Oreana sits near the base of the canyon walls.

A significant geographic marker, the Initial Point, is documented here as the fundamental survey origin for the state's land divisions. The map highlights the volcanic character of the high desert through landmarks such as Basalt Butte and Castle Butte, while intermittent drainages like Sinker Creek and Castle Creek illustrate the water-scarce environment that early pioneers and railroad engineers navigated.