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1903 Map of Coopers Lake

Name: 1903 Topographic Map of Coopers Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1924
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1924

About this map

Lewis and Clark National Forest and Missoula National Forest converge across this rugged segment of the Continental Divide, where early 20th-century life centered on a network of isolated ranches and mining claims. Prospecting activity is prominent in the southern reaches, specifically near Copper Camp and the high ridges above Lincoln Gulch, where sites like the Klondike Mine, Porto Rico Mine, and Cotters Mine were established.

The landscape is punctuated by numerous family-named landmarks, such as Witmer Bros Ranch and Lunds Ranch, reflecting the scattered settlement pattern before modern infrastructure took hold. In the southwest, Kleinschmidt Flat provides a break from the surrounding peaks of the Alice Mountains. Timber and water interests are represented by Whites Sawmill and a notable canal leading toward Reservoir Lake, showing how the early residents of Lewis and Clark and Powell counties harnessed the terrain.