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1968 Map of Hartline NW

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Hartline NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Upper Grand Coulee defines this corner of Grant County, where the topography shifts from the dramatic basalt depressions to the high plateau. The northwestern corner of the sheet is dominated by Banks Lake, a vital reservoir whose underwater contours were surveyed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The landscape is structured by a series of numbered east-west roads, including Road 45 NE and Road 38 NE, indicating a systematic approach to land management and agricultural access during the late 1960s.

The steel spine of the Burlington Northern railroad cuts a straight diagonal across the southern half of the map, illustrating the importance of rail transport for moving grain and resources from the plateau. Significant local landmarks like Chase Draw and several springs dot the coulee walls, while industrial activity is noted by a Gravel Pit and Borrow Pit near the rail line. This survey captures a moment when the regional infrastructure of roads and rails was firmly established to support the surrounding irrigation-driven economy.