1956 Map of Wallace

About this map

Flathead Indian Reservation and the surrounding wilderness of western Montana and northern Idaho dominate this mid-century landscape. The map illustrates a complex network of resource extraction and hydroelectric development, anchored by the Noxon Rapids Dam on the Clark Fork river. Heavy industrial infrastructure is evident through the path of the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific (Elec) railroad and the Northern Pacific line, which provided vital links through the Bitterroot Range. Conservation efforts are well-established, visible in the Montana National Bison Range and the Pablo National Wildlife Refuge. The settlement pattern follows the river valleys and the shores of Flathead Lake, with towns like Polson, St. Ignatius, and Thompson Falls serving as regional hubs amidst the sprawling Lolo National Forest and Kaniksu National Forest.