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1957 Map of Mineral

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Mineral
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

The Union Pacific railroad corridor follows the winding course of the Snake River along the border of Baker and Washington counties, marking a landscape defined by high-elevation mining and timber. In this late 1950s survey, the small settlements of Mineral and Home appear as central points for local activity, surrounded by several family and industrial operations including the Mineral Mine, Mortimer Mine, and Connor Creek Mine. A private Cable Ferry (Pvt) provides a crossing point near the railroad, serving as a critical link before the anticipated changes of the Brownlee Dam project.

Deep canyons like Deer Gulch and Cottonwood Creek cut through the terrain toward the river, while the higher reaches of the Payette National Forest are punctuated by distinctive peaks such as Sugarloaf Mtn and the uniquely named Chinamans Hat. The prevalence of Jeep Trails, a Cem, and various springs suggests a remote but active network of prospectors and ranchers who navigated the complex topography between the Powder River and the high ridges of Iron Mtn.