1985 Map of Plains

About this map

Plains sits at a strategic bend of the Clark Fork, where the river valley widens between the heavily timbered slopes of the Lolo National Forest. This 1985 survey captures the town's layout during a period when the timber industry and river geography dictated local development. The map details the drainage patterns of several vital waterways, including Lynch Creek and Swamp Creek, which feed into the main river channel from the north and west. To the south, the topography rises sharply toward Combest Peak, a prominent landmark overlooking the confluence of Miller Creek and Combest Creek. The interface between the valley floor and the steep terrain of Graham Gulch highlights the physical constraints that have shaped the growth of this Sanders County community. The inclusion of the local Airport and the surveyed boundary between Sanders and Mineral counties further grounds the map in its mid-1980s administrative context.