1957 Map of Illinois Peak

About this map

The Lolo National Forest, St Joe National Forest, and Clearwater National Forest converge in this high-altitude landscape along the Montana-Idaho border during the late 1950s. Mining activity is prominent across the terrain, with claims such as the American Gold Mine, Eagle Cliff Mine, and Gildersleeve Mine clustered near the many gulches and creeks. The northeast corner of the map reveals the critical transportation corridor of the Clark Fork river valley, where the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and the Northern Pacific railroads parallel each other through the mountains. Observation points like Wade Lookout Peak and the Illinois Peak summit reflect the region's management for fire watch and surveying. Numerous alpine water bodies, including Diamond Lake and the Bonanza Lakes, are scattered among peaks like Torino Peak and Cascade Peak.