Loading map...

1950 Map of Helena

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Helena
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

Helena serves as the focal point of this mid-century topographic record, showing the state capital's footprint during a period of steady growth. The landscape is defined by the sharp transition between the mountain peaks of the Helena National Forest and the agricultural valley floor. Significant institutional landmarks are mapped in detail, including the State Capitol, the Veterans Administration Center, and Fort William Henry Harrison. The infrastructure of the era is evident through the path of the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroads which connect the city to the wider region.

Industrial and social history is visible in the scattered mines throughout the gulches, such as Grizzly Gulch and Colorado Gulch. Rural life is preserved through labels for several community hubs, including the Birdseye School and Baxendale School, alongside numerous burial grounds like Resurrection Cemetery and the Odd Fellows Cemetery. The map also captures smaller outlying settlements like Unionville and Gearing, providing a clear view of the territorial organization before modern suburban expansion.