1885 Map of Gallatin

About this map

Mammoth Hot Springs and the surrounding thermal basins dominate this 1880s survey of the northwestern section of the park. The geography centers on the Gardiner River and the high peaks of the Gallatin Range, including Electric Peak and Mt Holmes. This era of exploration is documented through early tourist infrastructure, such as the Hotel near Norris Geyser Basin, and the established wagon roads connecting natural landmarks like Obsidian Cliff and Roaring Mt. The map provides a precise look at the hydrology of the period before heavy development, detailing numerous cascades such as Gibbon Falls 80 feet and the 84-foot Crystal Falls. Thermal features are meticulously cataloged, ranging from the Artists Paint Pots to the high-elevation Monument Geysers, illustrating the complex geothermal landscape that defined the region’s early identity.