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1959 Map of Elliston

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Elliston
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The Continental Divide snake through this portion of the Montana Rockies, separating the headwaters of the Little Blackfoot River from the eastern slopes. The Northern Pacific railroad dominates the transportation corridor, navigating the steep grades via the Mullan Tunnel near Mullan Pass. This alignment reflects the late-19th-century engineering required to bridge the divide, connecting settlements like Elliston and Blossburg to the wider rail network.

Industrial activity is evident in the numerous mining operations scattered across the high country, including the Belmont Mine and Shannon Mine near Marysville, and the Strawberry Mine to the east. The landscape also serves as a mid-century recreational hub, featuring several organized retreats such as the YMCA Camp, Girl Scout Camp, Boy Scout Camp, and Sunshine Camp. Near the summit of the divide, Frontier Town and the Historical Marker at Mac Donald Pass indicate early efforts to memorialize the region's pioneer heritage along the Priest Pass Road.