Join Free

1940s Maps of Pierce County, Washington

Explore 21 historic maps of Pierce County from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Pierce County's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring Pierce County's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

Pierce County, WA maps

(21)
  1. 1940 Map of Anderson Island
    1940 Map of Anderson Island
    1940 Anderson Island
    1940 Print · USGS
    Coastal Washington at the start of the 1940s shows a landscape of strategic military installations and island prisons. You can trace the development of Fort Lewis, the boundaries of the Nisqually Indian Reservation, and the layout of the Federal Penitentiary on McNeil Island.
  4. 1941 Map of Tanwax Lake
    1941 Map of Tanwax Lake
    1941 Tanwax Lake
    1941 Print · USGS
    Pierce County was a busy corridor for timber and defense just before the war, as shown in this detailed 1941 survey. Genealogists and historians can locate Camp 1 Logging Camp, the old Lacamas School, and the winding Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific rail line.
  7. 1941 Map of Tacoma South, 1958 Print
    1941 Map of Tacoma South, 1958 Print
    1941 Tacoma South
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Puyallup Valley and southern Tacoma outskirts appear here in the early 1940s, just as the region’s rail and military infrastructure reached peak complexity. Genealogists can trace early homesteads and pioneer landmarks like the Site of Old Camp Montgomery and the Mary Mount Military Academy.
  10. 1942 Map of Gig Harbor, 1954 Print
    1942 Map of Gig Harbor, 1954 Print
    1942 Gig Harbor
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Kitsap Peninsula and surrounding islands are mapped here during the early 1940s, highlighting a maritime world of inlets and ferries. Trace old family sites and rural landmarks like Elgin Sch, Lisabeula, and the many landings along Henderson Bay.
  13. 1942 Map of Lake Tapps, 1962 Print
    1942 Map of Lake Tapps, 1962 Print
    1942 Lake Tapps
    1962 Print · USGS
    The foothills of the Cascades meet the Puyallup Valley in the 1940s, showing a landscape defined by logging and coal extraction. Genealogists can locate family names on markers like Spar Pole Hill or trace rural social hubs like the Sunrise Grange Hall.
    3 unique versions available
  16. 1943 Map of Gig Harbor
    1943 Map of Gig Harbor
    1943 Gig Harbor
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Puget Sound shoreline and its peninsulas are captured here in the 1940s as a maritime network of small landings and inland schools. Genealogists can trace family footprints at Sunny Slope Sch, Lisabeula, and the many homesteads near Artondale.
  19. 1944 Map of Lake Tapps
    1944 Map of Lake Tapps
    1944 Lake Tapps
    1944 Print · USGS
    Pierce County during the early 1940s reveals a landscape of industrial river towns and hill-country resource extraction. Genealogists can trace family roots through the Kelly Lake Sch, Coal Mines near Wilkeson, and the Sunrise Grange Hall.
    3 unique versions available
  22. 1944 Map of Tacoma South
    1944 Map of Tacoma South
    1944 Tacoma South
    1944 Print · USGS
    Pierce County during the war years shows a landscape of growing towns and deep-rooted history between the river valleys and the prairie. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through numerous country schools like Kirby Sch or locate 19th-century frontier outposts like the Site of Old Camp Montgomery (1854).
  25. 1944 Map of Yelm
    1944 Map of Yelm
    1944 Yelm
    1944 Print · USGS
    The Nisqually River valley and the surrounding prairies are captured here during the 1940s as military and rail infrastructure reshaped the landscape. Researchers can trace the rail corridors of the Northern Pacific, the Centralia Power Plant, and local landmarks like Collins Sch and Vail.
    2 unique versions available
  28. 1944 Map of Ohop Valley
    1944 Map of Ohop Valley
    1944 Ohop Valley
    1944 Print · USGS
    The Ohop Valley and surrounding Pierce County timberlands are shown here during the mid-1940s, just as the region’s hydroelectric and forestry infrastructure was maturing. Genealogists and researchers can trace rural life through sites like the Grange Hall, Edgerton Sch, and the logging community at Clay City.
  31. 1948 Map of Anderson Island, 1955 Print
    1948 Map of Anderson Island, 1955 Print
    1948 Anderson Island
    1955 Print · USGS
    The South Sound shoreline and its island communities are captured here just after the war as military and suburban footprints expanded. Genealogists and researchers can trace local landmarks from McNeil Island to the Visitation Academy and the rail stops at Nisqually Station.
  34. 1948 Map of Fort Lewis, 1955 Print
    1948 Map of Fort Lewis, 1955 Print
    1948 Fort Lewis
    1955 Print · USGS
    Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base are captured during the height of post-war military activity. Local researchers can trace old rail lines, the Indian Cem, and family landmarks like Davis Woods and McCall Hill.
  37. 1948 Map of Nisqually, 1955 Print
    1948 Map of Nisqually, 1955 Print
    1948 Nisqually
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Nisqually River delta and the South Puget Sound coastline are captured here in the late 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace the early layout of Dupont, the Fort Lewis Military Reservation, and rail stops like St Clair Sta and Nisqually Sta.
  40. 1948 Map of Anderson Island, 1955 Print
    1948 Map of Anderson Island, 1955 Print
    1948 Anderson Island
    1955 Print · USGS
    The islands of the southern Puget Sound are captured here shortly after the war, showing the federal prison and rural island settlements. Trace the ferry routes to Villa Beach or locate family markers at Hillcrest Cem and the McDermott Light.
  43. 1948 Map of Steilacoom, 1955 Print
    1948 Map of Steilacoom, 1955 Print
    1948 Steilacoom
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Puget Sound shoreline and its inland lakes are captured here during a period of rapid mid-century growth. Genealogists and historians can locate family plots at New Tacoma Cemetery or trace the early footprint of Fort Lewis Military Reservation and Lakewood Center.
  46. 1949 Map of Tacoma North, 1956 Print
    1949 Map of Tacoma North, 1956 Print
    1949 Tacoma North
    1956 Print · USGS
    Tacoma and its deep-water terminals appear at their industrial peak just after the war, showing the busy waterways of Commencement Bay. Researchers can trace the legacy of the Port of Tacoma, the grounds of the College of Puget Sound, and the early layout of Dash Point.
  49. 1949 Map of Poverty Bay, 1956 Print
    1949 Map of Poverty Bay, 1956 Print
    1949 Poverty Bay
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Puget Sound shoreline and the emerging Federal Way corridor are captured here during the late 1940s. Genealogists and local historians can trace early neighborhood footprints from Woodmont Beach to Madrona Heights and locate landmarks like Evergreen Airfield and Steel Lake Ch.
  52. 1949 Map of Auburn, 1956 Print
    1949 Map of Auburn, 1956 Print
    1949 Auburn
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Green River valley at the close of the 1940s shows a landscape of growing towns and heavy rail infrastructure. Trace the early layout of Auburn and its General Depot, alongside landmarks like White Lake and the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation.
    5 unique versions available
  55. 1949 Map of Ohop Valley, 1958 Print
    1949 Map of Ohop Valley, 1958 Print
    1949 Ohop Valley
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Ohop Valley area in the late 1940s was a hub of timber and rail, where the Milwaukee Road winds through the foothills. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Truth School Cem, Edgerton School, and the settlement at Clay City.
    2 unique versions available
  58. 1949 Map of Yelm, 1958 Print
    1949 Map of Yelm, 1958 Print
    1949 Yelm
    1958 Print · USGS
    Yelm and the surrounding prairies of Thurston and Pierce counties are shown here just after the war. Researchers can trace family ranching sites like Fox Ranch, early schools such as Collins School, and the heavy rail activity at McKenna.
  61. 1949 Map of Olympia, 1958 Print
    1949 Map of Olympia, 1958 Print
    1949 Olympia
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Puget Sound shoreline and the capital city of Olympia are captured here just after the war. Researchers can trace the rail lines of the Northern Pacific or find local landmarks like St Martins College and Boston Harbor.
    3 unique versions available
End of results
Showing maps 1-21 of 21

Top cities of Pierce County

See more

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Pierce County?
  • What is the oldest map of Pierce County?
  • Where can I purchase historical maps of Pierce County for my home or office?
  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of Pierce County?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for Pierce County?
  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for Pierce County?
  • Where are historical maps of Pierce County sourced from?