1964 Map of Butterfly Butte

About this map

Kettle Butte and Butterfly Butte define the topography of this high-desert landscape in Bonneville County, where geological history is written in the broad expanses of Lava flows. Surveyed in the early 1960s, the map reveals a sparsely populated terrain characterized by volcanic features and water management via the Kettle Butte Drain. A primary thoroughfare cuts across the southern portion of the sheet, providing an essential link between Arco and Idaho Falls. This route passes Seventeenmile Cave, a significant landmark for those navigating the arid plains. The presence of several scattered wells indicates the critical importance of subterranean water sources for sustaining life and industry in this volcanic region, while numerous benchmarks like BM 5082 mark the precise work of the mid-century surveyors.