1950 Map of Devils Fence

About this map

Boulder River drainage dominates this mid-century look at Jefferson County, where the valley floor transitions into the high timber of the Deer Lodge National Forest and Helena National Forest. The landscape is a working environment of ranching and extraction, featuring a complex network of irrigation ditches and active mineral sites like the Spar Mine and Ida Mine. Local family history is centered around the Boulder Valley Church and Murphy Cem, while cattle operations are evidenced by sites such as the Lazy T Ranch and Kimpton Cow Camp. High-altitude landmarks like Bull Mountain and Dunn Canyon define the western reaches, while numerous gulches such as Hunting Gulch and Johnny Gulch carve the upland terrain between the national forest boundaries.