1962 Map of Opal City

About this map

Opal City and the surrounding high desert terrain are defined by the critical infrastructure required to manage water and transport in the early 1960s. The North Unit Main Canal and its associated Flume systems wind through the landscape, supporting agriculture near Haystack Reservoir. This era shows the Oregon Trunk railroad corridor providing essential transit through the region, paralleling the steep canyon walls of the Crooked River. The mapping captures a distinct transition at the southern edge, where the Jefferson Co - Deschutes Co line crosses near the dramatic vistas of Peter Skene Ogden State Park and Smith Rock State Park. Notable natural landmarks like Juniper Butte and Haystack Butte anchor the topography, while smaller features like the Sherwood Canyon Siphon illustrate the engineering efforts used to move water across these volcanic plains.