1948 Map of Cairn Hope Peak

About this map

The Yakima Firing Center Military Reservation dominates much of this landscape, reflecting the mid-century expansion of military training grounds in central Washington. This 1948 survey shows a high desert terrain defined by the structural ridges of Umtanum Ridge and the Rattlesnake Hills, separated by the broad floor of Black Rock Valley. The map records a series of established ranching outposts, including Taylor Ranch and Meeboer Ranch, which mark the sparse settlement pattern of the region before further modernization. Small-scale human impact is evident at the Gravel Pit and along Riley Road, while the local history of the valley is anchored by the Black Rock Cem near the southern boundary. To the north, the summit of Cairn Hope Peak provides a high-ground vantage point overlooking the drainage of Cold Creek.