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Wall Sized Map of Montana
Published in 1913 by the U.S. Geological Survey, this large 2-sheet map of the State of Montana presents a comprehensive and detailed overview of the state's geographic and infrastructural features during the early 20th century.
The map's intricate detail highlights the extensive railroad system that traversed Montana, illustrating both steam and electric rail lines. Steam railroads, the predominant mode of long-distance freight and passenger transport, are clearly marked and contrasted with the shorter, often urban, electric railroads that served more localized transit needs. This distinction provides valuable insight into the technological advancements and economic development patterns of early 20th-century Montana.
Topographical features such as mountain ranges, rivers, and valleys are meticulously depicted, providing a clear sense of the state's varied landscape. The map also includes detailed representations of towns, cities, and counties, offering a snapshot of Montana's settlement patterns and administrative divisions at the time.
Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of Yellowstone National Park in the southwestern corner of the map, emphasizing Montana's proximity to this iconic natural landmark. The map also showcases the extensive public land survey system, with township and range lines precisely laid out, reflecting the U.S. government's efforts to systematically map and manage the vast western territories.
This map, with its combination of geographic precision and detailed infrastructure depiction, serves as an invaluable historical document. It offers a window into the transportation networks, settlement patterns, and topographical knowledge of Montana as understood in the early 20th century. For historians, geographers, and collectors, this map provides a rich source of information about the state's development and its place within the broader context of American westward expansion and technological progress.
