1960 Map of Superior

About this map

Superior serves as the primary settlement in this mountainous corner of western Montana, situated along a prominent bend of the Clark Fork river. The landscape is defined by the steep drainage basins of the Lolo National Forest, where numerous named peaks like Thompson Peak and Sunrise Mountain overlook a complex network of gulches and creeks. The corridor following the river is a vital artery for transportation, showing the parallel routes of two major western railroads: the Northern Pacific and the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific. Small riverside communities such as Quartz, Lozeau, and Westfall provide evidence of early 20th-century settlement patterns tied to these rail lines and the timber resources of the surrounding valley. Further south, the Quartz Guard Station and landmarks like Eagle Rock mark the more remote interior of the national forest.