An archive of research on historic trails and roads

Interactive Maps

Verendrye Explorations

Expedition in Search of the Pacific Ocean by Pierre and Francois Gaultier 1742-43

By Steve F. Russell, 2020

The Gaultier Brother's Expedition through North & South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska in 1742–1743 Based on a Journal, written by Francois Gaultier, Chevalier of the Verendrye, and his brother Pierre Gaultier, documenting an Expedition to reach the Western Sea, addressed to M. the Marquis of Beauharnois. 1742–43.

Digital Map and Report

Nez Perce Campaign 1877 Campaign Center Line

An interactive digital map of the route taken by the Nez Perce in 1877 as they fled from the U.S. Calvary and volumteer militia.

2018

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Mullan Road Center Line (Complete)

This Mullan Road centerline describes the general route of the Mullan Military Road built between 1859 and 1861. It represents many years of research from several individuals and continues to be adjusted as new research is completed.

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Mullan Road Center Line: Plante's Ferry to Bitterroot Ferry

This map is a digital representation of an exhibition for the Staff House Museum in Kellogg, Idaho to celebrate the 150th anniversary (2009) of the Mullan Road coming through the area. Spanning the width of eight 40" x 30" panels, a detailed map shows the most probable route of the Mullan road. Each panel also includes photographs and comments from the road-builders and travelers of the era.

The probable location of the Mullan Road was determined primarily from General Land Office (GLO) survey plats made between 1872 and 1898. The display maps also mark the seventeen Coeur d'Alene River crossings, twenty-eight North Fork Coeur d'Alene River crossings, and forty-six St. Regis River crossings as listed by Mullan in his 1863 report.

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Lewis and Clark Trail Inventory

Using geo-located data collected by the National Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, this inventory lists sites including photographs of each sign. Organizations who sponsor these sites as well as travelers are encouraged to help keep the database current.

List of sites

Interactive maps and photos:

Idaho Kansas Montana Nebraska-Iowa North Dakota Oregon-Washington South Dakota

Mullan Road Center Line: Little Blackfoot River to Dearborn Crossing

This map represents 45 years of research by Dr. Rich Buswell. The yellow line is a faithful interpretation of his paper Forest Service map, using Township and Range section lines as a reference, by Kris Townsend, August 30, 2017. With this digital map, Buswell, Townsend, and perhaps other researchers, plan to refine this route with greater accuracy.

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Couer d'Alene River Crossings, Part 1

Part 1: To avoid making sidecuts in the steep hills, the Mullan Road crossed the Coeur d'Alene river 17 times in just 14 miles. This map shows the location of these river crossings between the Mission of the Sacred Heart near present-day Catalto and Wallace, Idaho as determined by researcher Robert Dunsmore.

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Couer d'Alene River Crossings, Part 2

To avoid making sidecuts in the steep hills, the Mullan Road crossed the Coeur d'Alene river 28 times in just 11 miles. This map shows the location of these river crossings between present-day Wallace and Mullan, Idaho as determined by researcher Robert Dunsmore.

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St. Regis River Crossings

To avoid making sidecuts in the steep hills, the Mullan Road crossed the St. Regis river 46 times in just over 21 miles. This map shows the location of these river crossings between present-day St. Regis and Lookout Pass, Montana as determined by researcher Robert Dunsmore.

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