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1950 Map of Jefferson Island

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Jefferson Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Lewis And Clark Cavern State Park dominates the central landscape of this 1950s era survey, where the Jefferson River winds through narrow passages. The confluence of the river with the Boulder River and South Boulder River creates a complex network of waterways, including the Jefferson Slough, which defined the local agricultural and ranching patterns of the time. The transition from the rugged London Hills to the valley floor is marked by numerous family holdings, such as the Brenner Ranch, Pryor Ranch, and Watson Ranch.

Industrial activity is evident through the Gypsum Mine and scattered abandoned mines near Mayflower Mine, reflecting the region's mineral history. Transportation is anchored by the dual presence of the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and the Northern Pacific railroads, which served small mountain communities like Cardwell and Sappington. This record documents the mid-century intersection of public parkland, private ranching, and rail-dependent commerce.