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1943 Map of Mount Vernon

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Mount Vernon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

The John Day River carves an east-west valley through this high-desert landscape, serving as the central artery for the ranching and mining operations of the mid-20th century. In the hills north of the river, Mt Vernon Hot Springs and several family-owned properties like Fletcher Ranch and Benson Ranch anchor the community of Mt Vernon. The presence of Belshaw Sch and Luce Sch indicates the spread of local education for the families working the land.

South of the river, the terrain rises sharply into the Malheur National Forest, where resource extraction is evident at the Cinnabar Mine and the Silvers Mine. This map documents a high degree of specific local nomenclature for the complex topography, from the peculiar formation known as The Hole to the heights of McClellan Mtn and Cinnabar Mtn. The southern portion transitions into the flatter expanse of Bear Valley, dotted with remote outposts such as Koehler Ranch.