1956 Map of Black River C-4

About this map

The Black River meanders through this remote interior landscape, creating an intricate network of oxbows and wetlands during the mid-1950s. The river's path is defined by sharp geographical markers like Nelson Bluff and the prominent heights of Niggerhead Mountain and Vadahanyande Mountain. This topographic study, based on 1955 aerial photography, reveals a wilderness where life centered on the water. Human presence is concentrated at Salmon Village, located near the confluence of the river and the Salmon Fork. The map documents a traditional subsistence landscape, naming local water features like Rotten Fish Slough and Tienasheadun Slough, which were essential for navigation and seasonal movement. An isolated Cabin near Nelson Lake further indicates the sparse, resource-driven settlement pattern of the era.