1896 Map of Lake

About this map

Yellowstone Lake dominates this 1885 survey of the high wilderness, showcasing the intricate shoreline of the South Arm and South East Arm. The topography, documented under the direction of Charles D. Walcott, captures the intersection of the Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone Park Forest Reservation. This era of mapping precedes modern infrastructure, focusing on the hydrologic network of the Yellowstone River and its major tributaries like Thorofare Creek and Atlantic Creek. High-altitude landmarks such as Mt Stevenson, Mt Schurz, and Eagle Peak define the eastern boundary, while the lone settlement at Hawks Rest and the waters of Bridger Lake offer a glimpse into the remote southern reaches of the park before the development of 20th-century tourism corridors. Geographer Henry Gannett ensured the inclusion of geothermal and geological curiosities like Brimstone Basin and Sylvan Pass, providing a detailed look at the landscape as it stood in the late nineteenth century.