1958 Map of Empire

About this map

The town of Empire sits at the foot of Douglas Mountain and Red Elephant Hill, serving as a central hub for the mining and high-altitude alpine activity of the late 1950s. The landscape is defined by the Continental Divide, which separates the headwaters of the Fraser River from the steep drainages of the Fall River and North Clear Creek. Heavy industry and resource extraction are evident along the valley floors, where the Bellevue Hudson Tunnel and Minnesota Mines are located near the settlement of Lawson. In the higher elevations, the presence of St Marys Glacier Lodge and the Easter Seal Handicamp near Empire suggests a post-war shift toward mountain recreation and institutional use. Numerous alpine lakes, including Loch Lomond and James Peak Lake, dot the basins below peaks like James Peak and Mt. Bancroft, while a network of Pack Trails and Jeep Trails provide access to remote claims such as the Glory Hole and the Conqueror Mines.