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1954 Map of Sprague

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Sprague
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The town of Sprague serves as the primary hub in this mid-century portrait of the Channeled Scablands, where the basalt-carved landscape is defined by a dense network of competing rail lines. No fewer than five major railroads traverse the territory, including the Northern Pacific, the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific, and the Spokane Portland and Seattle. These iron corridors connect small outposts like Fishtrap, Tyler, and Rodna, highlighting the industrial significance of the region during an era of robust rail commerce.

Water and meadowlands break the rocky terrain, with Rock Creek and numerous glacial-carved basins like Fishtrap Lake and Downs Lake providing vital resources for local ranching. Notable community markers include the Rockdale Cem and Maccabee Cem, along with an Aban'd Sch near Tyler, which point to the changing demographics of the rural workforce. The inclusion of the Res Landing Strip and a Microwave Relay Sta near Sprague reflects the integration of modern infrastructure into this deeply geologically-carved environment.