1983 Map of Bonners Ferry

About this map

The Kootenai River snakes through the deep valley of the Purcell Trench, anchoring a landscape where rail lines and river hydrology dictate the pattern of settlement. In this 1983 revision, the region is defined by the proximity of the Canada-United States border, with northern outposts like Porthill and the uniquely named Good Grief marking the edge of the wilderness. To the west, the massive waters of Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake are surrounded by the Kaniksu National Forest, while the center of the sheet is dominated by the industrial and transport hub at Bonners Ferry. The map documents a rugged extractive economy, showing several high-country operations including the Golden Scepter Mine and Bethlehem Mine. Transportation routes like the Spokane International railroad follow the river's path, connecting the remote hamlets of Naples, Moravia, and Leonia to the broader Pacific Northwest network.