1910 Rand McNally Pocket Map of Idaho

A colorful folding pocket map of Idaho, published in 1910 by Rand McNally and Co.

A Closer Look

The entire state of Idaho is displayed with counties color-shaded and township lines drawn, as are lines along full latitudes and longitudes. Counties, cities, towns, Indians Reservations, railroads, waterways, and notable physical features are labelled throughout. An alphanumeric grid surrounds the map, corresponding to an index of cities and towns at left. A red overprint table at right lists railroad lines, with the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad, reaching Moscow and Coeur d'Alene being noted for operating on electricity. Two other electric lines appear further south, representing the Boise Valley Electric Railroad and the Nez Perce and Idaho Railroad.

Historical Context

Around the time of this map's publication, Idaho's economy was undergoing a partial transition from mining to agriculture. Mining towns, such as Cottonwood, Mount Idaho, and Rockybar indicated here, which had been founded following the discovery of gold in the 1860s, were already well on their way to becoming ghost towns. Meanwhile, the Milner Dam east of Twin Falls aided agricultural development in the state's south, as did the proposed Twin Falls Canal System west of the namesake city, which was built beginning in 1909 and has been operated by the Twin Falls Canal Company ever since.

Publication History and Census

This map is dated 1910 and appeared in Rand McNally and Co's indexed county and township pocket map and shippers' guide of Idaho. It is well-represented in institutional collections but scarce to the market.