1949 Map of Thousand Springs

About this map

Snake River canyon walls define this stretch of Idaho, where the porous volcanic rock releases an extraordinary volume of water at Thousand Springs. This 1949 survey illustrates the mid-century development of the region's unique geothermal and hydraulic resources. The Banbury Natatorium and nearby Hot Water Wells signify the era's commercial interest in natural hot springs, while the Powerhouse near the springs captures the industrial harnessing of the river's descent. In the higher agricultural lands, the Lucerne School serves the rural community of Melon Valley. The terrain is marked by dramatic geological formations like Box Canyon and Blind Canyon, which feed into the main canyon alongside Salmon Falls Creek. Navigation and irrigation are prominent themes, evidenced by the numerous ditches and the turbulent waters of Devil's Washbowl Falls and Kanaka Rapids.