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1950 Map of Virginia City

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Virginia City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Virginia City serves as the focal point of this mid-century survey, situated at the southwestern edge of the high Tobacco Root Mountains. The landscape is a dense network of mining claims and alpine topography, where the legacy of the Montana gold rush remains etched into the gulches. Numerous workings such as the Missouri Mine, El Fleeda Mine, and Cornucopia Mine are concentrated along the hillsides surrounding the town, while the Cem stands on the outskirts, reflecting the settlement's deep roots.

Beyond the mining activity, the map details the high-altitude wilderness of the Beaverhead National Forest. Significant peaks like South Baldy Mountain and Ramshorn Mountain tower over glacial lakes, including Alpine Lake and Lupine Lake. The eastern section shows a shift toward ranching and water management near Thexton Ranch, with various irrigation ditches and the South Meadow Creek Ranger Station marking the managed use of this high-country terrain.