1947 Map of Sand Dunes

About this map

The Snake River carves through the landscape of the high desert, defining the boundary between Elmore and Owyhee counties. This 1946–1947 topographical record highlights a transitional terrain where the shifting Sand Dunes meet the river's edge, creating unique landforms like Wilkins Island and Blacks I. The map reveals the persistence of early western transit, with the Emigrant Trail following the south bank of the river while the Old Mountain Home Trail cuts across the northern flats near Rattlesnake Sprs. Evidence of human habitation remains sparse, marked by the solitary Barber Cabin tucked near the water and prominent navigational landmarks such as Flatiron Butte. Deep coulees like Waterhouse Gulch and Browns Gulch score the southern plateaus, documenting the drainage patterns of the Eagle Cove region.