1949 Map of Manhattan

About this map

The confluence of three major rivers—the Missouri River, Gallatin River, and Madison River—defines this mid-century landscape in the Gallatin Valley. The rail network of the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and Northern Pacific railroads dictates the placement of settlements like Logan and Manhattan, while an extensive system of irrigation, including the Lowline Canal and White Valley Ditch, underscores the importance of valley agriculture. To the north, the Horseshoe Hills rise above the river plains, marked by canyons such as Nixon Gulch. Family-named operations and local landmarks like the Climbing Arrow Ranch, Sinnema Windmill Ranch, and the Abandoned Mine in the hills provide deep detail for researchers looking into the region's ranching and early mining roots before modern development reached these rural areas.