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1966 Map of Olney

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Olney
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The timbered valley of the Stillwater River defines this mid-1960s survey, centered on the small community of Olney in the Stillwater State Forest. This period shows the town as a vital stop along the Great Northern railroad, which runs parallel to the river and connects the scattered settlements of the region. The landscape is a mosaic of open meadows and forest, with many meadows bearing local names like Ritsenburg Meadow, Skunk Meadow, and Round Meadow, suggesting a long history of grazing or early homesteading in these clearings.

Water is central to the area's character, from the expansive Lower Stillwater Lake to the more secluded Martin Lakes and Dog Lake near Dog Mtn. Public land management is evident through the presence of the Stillwater Ranger Sta and the boundary with the Flathead National Forest. For the researcher, the map preserves the exact alignment of numerous trails, including the high-elevation Pack Trail and various unnamed tracks that reflect the era's backcountry access before modern development.