1957 Map of Elk Mountain

About this map

Wallowa National Forest dominates the western half of this 1957 survey, where high ridges and deep canyons define the landscape. The Chico Trail winds through these heights, passing the Chico Guard Sta and Swamp Creek Cow Camp, providing evidence of the federal management and seasonal grazing patterns of the mid-century era. To the east, the terrain opens into high plateau country, where drainage systems like Chesnimnus Creek and Joseph Creek cut through the volcanic tablelands. The rural infrastructure of the period is preserved through the locations of the Lewis Sch and the Hinton Ranch, alongside prominent landmarks such as Elk Mountain and Greenwood Butte. This map captures a specific moment before modern developments, showing the exact placement of isolated springs and remote mountain cabins that supported the regional ranching economy.