1898 Map of Granite Mountain District

About this map

James P. Kimball led this reconnaissance survey of the high-elevation terrain in the Beartooth Range, commissioned specifically for industrial interests including the Rocky Fork Coal Co. and the Rocky Fork Town and Electric Co. The map provides an early look at the extreme topography of the Beartooth Plateau, where massive summits like Granite Peak and Mt Weed dominate the landscape. The drainage patterns are meticulously traced along the Stillwater River and the bifurcated branches of West Rosebud Creek and East Rosebud Creek. Distinctive landmarks such as Mystic Lake and Goose Lake Pass suggest the routes and water sources prioritized during this late nineteenth-century geological study. The inclusion of industrial sponsors in the margin highlights the era's drive to identify mineral and energy resources within the high mountain districts.