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1950 Map of Hebgen Dam

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Hebgen Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

The Hebgen Dam and the sprawling waters of Hebgen Lake dominate this high-country landscape, where the Madison River transitions into a major reservoir. Surveyed before the major earthquake that would later reshape this canyon, the map records a specific era of mountain recreation and ranching. Family-run operations like Watkins Creek Ranch, Stagger Ranch, and Olifee Ranch are scattered throughout the flats and river bottoms, while the presence of Hilgard Lodge and Campfire Lodge near the dam indicates a well-established tourism economy.

Mineral and petroleum exploration left their mark on the terrain, evidenced by an Asbestos Mine and a dry oil well in the Carrot Basin area. The boundary between the Madison National Forest and Gallatin National Forest cuts across the mountains, which are dotted with high-altitude landmarks like Hilgard Peak and Sentinel Peak. This 1950s record captures the network of Pack Trails and Cutoff Trails that served as primary transit before the modern expansion of road infrastructure in the region.