1913 Map of Priest Lake

About this map

Sandpoint sits at the northern end of the vast water system where the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroads converge. This early twentieth-century survey reveals a landscape of industrial extraction and strategic transport, from the Continental Mine near the Canadian border to the network of logging and passenger lines like the Spokane International. The map documents a period before modern highway dominance, when the Baldwin Ferry provided critical transit and small rail sidings like Elmira and Colburn served as the primary connection points for isolated mountain communities. The vast coverage includes numerous protected lands, including the Kaniksu National Forest and Pend Oreille National Forest, while highlighting geological landmarks such as the iconic Chimney Rock and the high peaks of the Cabinet Mts. Genealogists and local historians can trace the early footprints of settlements like Bonners Ferry, Laclede, and the lakeside community of Cocolalla.