1957 Map of Kalispell

About this map

The Purcell Mountains and Cabinet Mountains dominate the western horizon of this survey, which captures Northwest Montana during a period of significant landscape modification. The creation of Koocanusa Lake behind the Libby Dam is a central feature, fundamentally altering the Kootenai River valley near Rexford and Warland. To the east, the map details the burgeoning hub of Kalispell and the gateway to Glacier National Park, with the Burlington Northern railroad corridor providing the primary industrial spine for timber and transport through Whitefish and Columbia Falls. The transition from the high peaks of the Livingston Range to the sprawling waters of Flathead Lake illustrates the region's diverse geography, where deep glacial lakes like Whitefish Lake and Ashley Lake sit between the rugged Whitefish Range and the Salish Mountains.