1940 Map of Mackay

About this map

Mackay stands as the primary hub along the Big Lost River in this pre-war survey, where the valley's agricultural life meets the industrial infrastructure of the Union Pacific railroad. The landscape is defined by extensive irrigation networks, including the Swauger Ditch, Burnett Ditch, and Union Ditch, which redirect water from the Mackay Reservoir to the surrounding foothills. To the west and south, the map reveals the hardscrabble mining and ranching character of the White Knob Mountains and Pioneer Mountains. Remote outposts such as Rosenkrance Ranch and the Leadbelt Mine are connected by a web of mountain trails and forest ranger stations like the Copper Basin Ranger Sta. This map captures a transition period in Idaho's history, where established settlements like Houston and Martin served as vital nodes for local families, supported by rural institutions such as Barton Sch and the Methodist Church.