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1957 Map of Joseph

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Joseph
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The town of Joseph serves as the focal point of this 1957 topographic study, situated where the Wallowa River flows from the massive glacial waters of Wallowa Lake. The landscape is defined by a sophisticated network of irrigation systems, including the Granger Ditch, Farmers Ditch, and Moonshine Ditch, which support the agricultural life of the Prairie. These waterways represent the vital engineering that allowed settlements like Dobbins and Pleasant Center to thrive in the shadow of the Wallowa Mountain range.

Genealogists will find significant local landmarks, such as Pratt Sch, the Liberty Grange, and the Chief Joseph Cem near the lake's north shore. The transition from the valley floor to the high timber is marked by the boundaries of the Wallowa National Forest, where steep terrain like Ferguson Ridge and Mt Howard rises sharply. Historical industrial footprints are visible at the Transvaal Mines and various scattered Quarry sites, while the presence of the Spillway and Gaging Sta reflects the mid-century management of the region's water resources.