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1903 Map of Helena

Name: 1903 Topographic Map of Helena
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1929
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1929

About this map

The Continental Divide dictates the rugged character of this region at the turn of the century, separating the headwaters of the Blackfoot River from the urban centers of Helena and Butte. This 1:250,000 scale map reveals a landscape defined by mining and early rail infrastructure, featuring the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Great Northern Railway as they navigate high mountain passes like Mullan Pass and Priests Pass.

Evidence of late 19th-century industrial activity is scattered across the ranges, from the Pioneer Mill in the west to the Scratchgravel Hills and Wickes in the east. Small settlements such as Marysville Junction, Silver City, and Elliston mark the transition between the high wilderness of the Helena National Forest and the budding urban nodes of the Treasure State. Notable geological and recreational features like Mt. Helena and the Cataract Basin highlight the diverse topography surrounding the state capital.