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1955 Map of Jordan Valley

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Jordan Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Jordan Valley serves as the primary hub for this high-desert region of eastern Oregon and western Idaho, where ranching and mining define the local economy. The landscape is dominated by the winding course of the Owyhee River and its dramatic Owyhee Canyon, which cuts through volcanic plateaus and buttes like Jackies Butte and Iron Mtn. Water management is central to the area's survival, evidenced by substantial works such as Antelope Reservoir and Little Grassy Reservoir.

To the east, the Owyhee Mountains rise sharply, containing historical mining sites like the strip mine gold label near War Eagle Mountain. Small cattle-country outposts like Arock, Rome, and Triangle are linked by Highway 95, providing essential context for genealogists tracing family ranching histories in Malheur County. The map also details the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in the southern reaches, marking the cultural and jurisdictional boundaries of the mid-20th century.