1967 Map of Quartz Mtn Basin

About this map

The Quartz Mtn Basin reveals a remote Malheur County landscape in the late 1960s, defined by its critical water sources and livestock outposts. Evidence of ranching and seasonal grazing is clear at Morcom Cow Camp and Eddy Place, which are supported by numerous named water points including Mattingly Spring, Diamond Spring, and Daly Spring. The terrain transitions from the low-lying Sand Hills in the north toward the higher elevations of Quartz Mountain and Black Butte to the south. Geologic features like Acton Gulch and Deadman Gulch cut through the eastern hills, while a solitary Prospect and a rugged Jeep Trail hint at the area's isolation and limited industrial activity. The mapping of Homestead Reservoir underscores the importance of water management in this arid stretch of eastern Oregon.