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1956 Map of Wallace

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Wallace
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The Bitterroot Range and the Coeur d'Alene Mountains dominate this mid-century landscape, framing a region defined by heavy timber and a complex river-and-rail network. This 1956 survey illustrates the rugged frontier of the Flathead Indian Reservation and numerous national forests, including the Kootenai National Forest and Lolo National Forest. The industrial backbone of the area is visible through three major rail lines—the Northern Pacific RR, the Great Northern RR, and the Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul and Pacific RR—which follow the winding courses of the Clark Fork and St. Regis River.

Conservation and water management are prominent, from the waters of Flathead Lake to the protected grounds of the National Bison Range. Notable settlements like Thompson Falls, St. Ignatius, and Noxon serve as centers for the surrounding valleys. The newly formed Noxon Rapids Reservoir marks a significant change in the local geography, reflecting the postwar push for hydroelectric development across the Pacific Northwest.