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1961 Map of Oh-Be-Joyful

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Oh-Be-Joyful
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Pittsburg and Elkton serve as the primary human touchpoints in this 1961 survey, which captures the intersection of early mining industrialization and the natural landscape of the Ruby Range. Evidence of a heavy industrial past is found in the Old Railroad Grade running parallel to the Slate River, tracing a path toward the Smith Hill Mine. The map reveals a high concentration of mineral exploration across the high basins, with the Augusta Mine, Standard Mine, and Pittsburg Mine dotting the alpine terrain.

Glacial features define much of the topography, from the high-altitude Lower Peeler Lake to the waters of Lake Irwin near the southwestern boundary. Recreation begins to emerge in the landscape via the Gothic Picnic Ground on the East River, while complex trails like the Jeep Trail through Washington Gulch suggest how these former mining areas were being repurposed for access. The detailed contouring of Scarp Ridge and peaks like Purple Mountain show the challenging verticality that shaped the local mining economy.