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1955 Map of Canyon City

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Canyon City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The John Day River and its multiple forks define the rugged landscape of Central Oregon, carving through high plateaus and ancient geological formations. This mid-century survey captures the region's vast network of federal lands, including the Umatilla National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and Ochocco National Forest. The geography is anchored by significant mountain ranges like the Strawberry Mountains and Blue Mountains, where high peaks like Dixie Butte and Lookout Mountain watch over a territory of timber and livestock ranching.

Transportation routes follow the river valleys, with US Highway 26 and US Highway 395 intersecting at the regional hubs of John Day and Canyon City. Evidence of the area's industrial past is seen in the Sumpter Valley RR, which served the mining and timber districts near Sumpter and Whitney. Scientific and natural interests are represented by the Thomas Condon-John Day Fossil Beds State Park, highlighting the world-renowned paleontological value of the Picture Gorge area.