1955 Map of Jordan Valley

About this map

The Owyhee Mountains and the dramatic incisions of the Owyhee Canyon dominate this high-desert landscape in the mid-1950s. The settlement at Jordan Valley serves as a remote hub near the crossing of Jordan Creek, while smaller outposts like Basque and Rome dot the vast sagebrush and lava plains. This era shows the region's ranching and transit footprint before modern expansion, with livestock water management visible at Antelope Reservoir and Scotts Reservoir. The map captures the isolation of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation and Duck Valley Indian Reservation, situated along the border of Oregon and Idaho. Significant topographical features like Quicksilver Mountain and South Mountain define the skyline, while travelers relied on routes such as Blue Mountain Pass to navigate the complex volcanic terrain and deep river breaks of the Owyhee River.