1957 Map of Initial Point

About this map

Initial Point VABM 3240 serves as the literal foundation for land surveys in Idaho, marking the intersection of the Boise Base Line and the Boise Meridian. In the late 1950s, this arid landscape south of the Boise area was defined by the deep canyon of the Snake River, which forms the boundary between Ada and Owyhee Counties. While the high plateaus remain largely undeveloped, an intricate network of irrigation projects like the Waldvogel Canal, Summit Lat, and Southern Lateral illustrate the efforts to bring water to the desert soil.