1948 Map of Pence Butte

About this map

Saylor Creek Air Force Range dominates the central and southern portions of this Idaho landscape, reflecting the military's significant footprint in Owyhee County during the mid-20th century. The terrain is defined by the prominent volcanic profile of Pence Butte in the south, while the northern reaches transition into a network of drainage systems. Browns Creek and its tributary, West Fork Browns Creek, carve through the high desert floor, creating the distinct topographical relief characteristic of the region. The sparse infrastructure of the late 1940s is primarily represented by the Pot Hole Road, which skirts the eastern edge near Pot Hole Canyon. This survey captures a moment when the land was utilized for both strategic defense and rugged livestock passage, prior to the modernization of more complex road networks.