1959 Map of Grangeville

About this map

The Wallowa Mountains dominate this mid-century landscape, where high peaks like Mount Moriah and Mount Haber tower over a network of deep river canyons. The survey illustrates a region defined by its topography, from the deep gorge of the Snake River to the glacial waters of Wallowa Lake. Human settlement is concentrated in the fertile valleys, where the Union Pacific railroad connects towns such as Wallowa, Enterprise, and Elgin. Smaller, more isolated communities like Freedom and White Bird are found near the Salmon River, reflecting the early 20th-century reliance on river access and wagon roads. The map also captures several national forests, including the Nezperce National Forest and Umatilla National Forest, highlighting the vast stretches of timber and wilderness that surround the agricultural outposts of Grangeville and Union.