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1950 Map of Virginia City

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Virginia City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Virginia City sits at the heart of this mid-century topographic study, positioned near the rich mineral deposits of Alder Gulch and Browns Gulch. The landscape is dominated by the high peaks of the Tobacco Root Mountains, including South Baldy Mountain and Ramshorn Mountain, where the drainages of North Meadow Creek and South Meadow Creek begin their descent toward the Madison River.

This era of the Montana landscape reveals an extensive network of mining operations, from the Old Placer Mines near the town site to high-altitude workings like the Missouri Mine, Alameda Mine, and El Fleeda Mine. The map traces the early development of the Beaverhead National Forest, recording the South Meadow Creek Ranger Station and isolated landmarks like the Thexton Ranch along the eastern valley floor. This documentation captures a specific transition in the region's economy, balancing established ranching and forest management with the legacy of the hard-rock and placer mining districts.