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1939 Map of Boylston

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Boylston
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

The Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad carves through the dramatic landscape of Kittitas County just before the onset of World War II, connecting the small settlements of Boylston and Doris. This arid high-country terrain is defined by the massive basalt folds of the Saddle Mountains and the Frenchman Hills, where seasonal water sources like Whisky Dick Creek and Poison Spr were critical landmarks for early travelers and stockmen.

Evidence of the region's unique geology and early infrastructure is prominent, including the eastern reaches of the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. The map documents a transition in transportation, showing the proximity of the rail line to Highway No 7 and local routes like Schnebley, providing a clear view of how these remote corridors were navigated before modern interstate development. The concentration of springs such as Buckhorn Spr and Foster Spr highlights the sparse but vital water network that dictated the placement of early homesteads and cattle ranges.