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1985 Map of Elkhorn

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Elkhorn
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1993
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1993

About this map

Elkhorn sits at the heart of the southern Elkhorn Mountains in this mid-1980s record of a storied Montana mining landscape. The map reveals the intricate drainage system defined by Wilson Creek, Prickly Pear Creek, and Muskrat Creek, which carved the canyons where extraction became the primary industry. Numerous Prospects and Mine Shafts dot the terrain, particularly around the settlement and along the Slaughterhouse Creek drainage, illustrating the intensity of historical prospecting in this mineral-heavy region.

High-altitude landmarks such as Elkhorn Peak and Crow Peak dominate the topography, while remote alpine features like Tizer Lakes and Hidden Lake suggest the difficult access to these heights. The presence of the Cem near the town and established sites like Woods Park reflect a community once deeply rooted in these slopes. The map also delineates the boundaries between the Helena National Forest and Deerlodge National Forest, underscoring the federal management of this transition zone between deep wilderness and industrial heritage.