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1956 Map of Laurel

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Laurel
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Northern Pacific railroad and the Yellowstone River define the industrial and agricultural landscape of this mid-century Montana hub. The city of Laurel serves as a focal point, dominated by the significant Oil Refinery complex and an extensive network of irrigation canals including Big Ditch, Italian Ditch, and Old Mill Ditch. These waterways reflect a highly engineered river basin designed to support local ranching and farming operations.

Evidence of the area's deeper history is found in the traces of the Buffalo Trail and Chief Joseph Trail crossing the northern uplands. Local community life is well-documented through the presence of St Anthonys Ch, St Johns Ch, and schools such as West Grade Sch and Trewin Sch. This survey captures the transition from the rugged terrain of Clappers Flat to the developed river valley during a period of significant industrial utility.