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1959 Map of Plains

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Plains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

Clark Fork and the Flathead River converge near Paradise, carving a deep corridor through the Coeur d'Alene Mountains of northwestern Montana. In the late 1950s, this landscape was defined by the Northern Pacific railroad, which tracks along the riverbanks, connecting small river-bound settlements like Plains and Donlan. The town of Plains serves as a local hub, featuring an Airport, County Fairgrounds, and a Ranger Station adjacent to the vast Lolo National Forest.

Evidence of the region's mountain economy is visible at the Little Pittsburg Mine and the industrial Gravel Pit near the river. Recreational and social landmarks include Quinns Hot Springs and the Cascade Cr Campground, while more remote locations like Pardee Camp and the Donlan Flats highlight the isolated nature of the surrounding terrain. Local history is further marked by the presence of a Cemetery and an Artesian Well, grounding the map in the daily lives of those living in the shadow of Patricks Knob and Keystone Peak.