1953 Map of Burley

About this map

Burley Lagoon and the northern reach of Henderson Bay define the southern maritime landscape of this peninsula survey, where the Kitsap Co and Pierce Co line intersects the coastal settlements of Purdy and Wauna. In the mid-century period, the interior terrain is characterized by a dense network of freshwater bodies, including Horseshoe Lake, Wicks Lake, and the Nels Johnson Lakes. The presence of the South Port Orchard Airport and several scattered Gravel Pits reflects the local infrastructure and industry supporting the growing communities of Burley and Bethel. This geography, dominated by drainage systems like Blackjack Creek and Minter Creek, illustrates the post-war transition of this region from a timber-and-water resource area into a residential and light industrial corridor between Port Orchard and Gig Harbor.