1950 Map of East Helena

About this map

Prickly Pear Creek winds through a valley defined by the early industrial and agricultural development of central Montana. The landscape is marked by the presence of the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroads, which facilitated the growth of settlements like East Helena and Montana City. The area's mining history is evident in the foothills of the Helena National Forest, where the Economy Mine and Chicago Mine are located alongside numerous gulches such as Mitchell Gulch and Spokane Creek. Water management for the Missouri River Basin is a central theme, shown through the expansive Hauser Lake and Lake Helena, as well as the McClellan Creek Reservoir. Local community life is documented through scattered rural schools like Harmony School and the Spokane Creek School, as well as the St Anns Cem and the prominent Masonic Home.