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1959 Map of Tarkio

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Tarkio
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The Clark Fork river corridor defines the southern portion of this region, serving as the primary artery for both transportation and early settlement. At the close of the 1950s, the rail infrastructure of the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and the Northern Pacific railroads remains prominent, connecting the small communities of Tarkio, Martel, and Rivulet. These settlements are closely tied to the river and the surrounding Lolo National Forest, where the landscape is carved by numerous drainages like Ninemile Creek and Cedar Creek.

High ridges such as the Ninemile Divide and peaks like Lookout Mountain separate these valleys, while evidence of land use is found in scattered mines and tailings near Stark. For genealogists, the location of a Cem near the river provides a specific point of interest for local family history research. The presence of various pack trails and a jeep trail suggests a transition toward recreation and forest management in this mid-century period.