1953 Map of Smiths Ferry

About this map

The Payette River carves a deep path through the Boise National Forest in this mid-century survey, defining the industrial and transportation corridor of the region. The Union Pacific railroad tracks hug the riverbank, connecting small mountain settlements like Smiths Ferry and Cabarton to the wider state. The map records the early footprint of the Cascade Reservoir near the northern border, including the Cascade Airport, where blue hatching indicates areas subject to controlled inundation. Higher elevations are marked by remote landmarks such as Snowbank Mtn and Wilson Peak, with various pack trails like the Stock Trail and Wilson Trail winding through the timber. For local historians, the sheet identifies rural educational landmarks including the Lower Alpha School and Round Valley School, reflecting the changing settlement patterns as the mid-20th century progressed.