Montana State Historic Preservation Office: GIS Data Development for Historic Sites and Districts

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GCS successfully completed a comprehensive project focused on developing GIS data for all historic sites and districts across the State of Montana. Collaborating closely with the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), GCS sourced archived hand-drawn paper maps to create an accurate GIS dataset that reflects the state’s rich historical landscape.

Project Overview

The historic district maps obtained from archives varied significantly in quality and detail. Some were hand-drawn on USGS 1:24,000 quadrants, while others utilized UTM coordinates for delineation. By leveraging these resources, GCS developed a high-quality GIS dataset representing Montana’s historic sites.

Methodology

Using the Montana Framework Cadastral Database as a foundational base map, GCS employed additional digital resources, including color aerial photography from the National Aerial Image Program (NAIP). This source provided essential visual data for the 30 battlefield sites identified in Tiers One through Four.

GCS’s methodology for data collection included:

• Heads-Up Digitizing: Simultaneous attribute population during digitization.
• Attribute Table Creation: The dataset included crucial fields such as:
  • Unique Identifier (Provider ID, Dataset ID, Unique ID)
  • Smithsonian Number
  • Historic Name
  • Date Listed in the National Register
  • NPS Reference Number

The final GIS data deliverable was accompanied by FGDC-compliant metadata, meticulously generated using ArcCatalog.

About the Montana State Historic Preservation Office

The Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is dedicated to promoting the preservation of the state’s historic and cultural resources. With a history spanning over 10,000 years—from ancient archaeological sites to century-old homestead farms—Montana boasts a diverse historical tapestry. SHPO encourages all Montanans to identify, document, and protect these heritage sites, ensuring the preservation of our cultural landscape for future generations.

Conclusion

GCS’s project not only enhances the understanding of Montana’s historic sites but also contributes to ongoing preservation efforts by providing vital GIS data.