1949 Map of Roberts

About this map

Snake River hydrology dominates this 1940s landscape, where a sophisticated network of irrigation works like the Market Lake Canal and Long Island Canal transformed the arid Upper Snake River Plain into a productive agricultural region. The Union Pacific railroad corridor serves as the backbone for several rural settlements, connecting Roberts and Bassett with the northern outskirts of Idaho Falls. The map reveals the social fabric of the era through a high density of rural institutions, including the St Leon Grange, Midway High School, and several country cemeteries. Elevated terrain at Shattuck Butte and the Knolls provides a vertical contrast to the flat valley floor. Industrial and utility infrastructure is evident at the Radio Range Station and various quarries, reflecting the region's mid-century development as a hub for both transportation and resource extraction.