1948 Map of Turtle Lake

About this map

Spokane Indian Reservation lands dominate the northeastern quadrant of this landscape, where the confluence of the Spokane River and Franklin D Roosevelt Lake shapes the central topography. In the late 1940s, this region was a working landscape of remote mountain peaks and isolated social centers, such as the North Star Grange and the Community Club. The map reveals a transition from the agricultural flats of Egypt to the mining-rich slopes of Spokane Mtn and Pitney Butte. Notable for its record of early mid-century resource extraction, the survey identifies several significant operations including the Germania Consolidated Mine and the Spokane Molybdenum Mine. Local life is anchored by landmarks like the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and the St Augustine Sch, while recreational spots like Blue Creek Camp on the shores of Turtle Lake highlight the area's emerging role in the national recreational network.