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1949 Map of Cape Disappointment

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Cape Disappointment
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

Cape Disappointment and the strategic mouth of the Columbia River dominate this coastal survey. The landscape is defined by its maritime and military significance, featuring both the North Head Lighthouse and the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse guarding the treacherous approach to Baker Bay. Inland, the peninsula's early development is visible through a string of settlements including Long Beach, Seaview, and the hub at Ilwaco.

A network of drainage and local industry is mapped through features like Cranberry Marsh and several family-owned operations such as Pugh Ranch and Johnson Ranch. The military presence is extensive, with the Fort Canby Military Reservation occupying the rugged headlands and the Sand Island Military Reservation situated within the shifting shoals of the river mouth. This era shows the region's transition into a modern coastal community, supported by the Ilwaco Airfield and the Peninsula Highway.