1949 Map of Cathlamet Bay

About this map

The Columbia River dominates this mid-century landscape, carving a complex network of channels and islands east of Astoria. Land management and industrial progress are evident at Mott Island, while the Spokane Portland and Seattle railroad and the Columbia River Highway trace the southern shoreline, facilitating the region's timber and river-based economy. The settlement of Svensen serves as a local hub, supported by the Svensen Sch and the rail connection at Svensen Junction. The geography is defined by tidal flats and shifting sands, such as Miller Sands and Seal Island, illustrating the dynamic nature of Cathlamet Bay before modern dredging and stabilization fully altered these reaches. Upland, the terrain rises toward Fern Hill, where small drainages like Eskeline Creek and Marsh Creek flow north toward the estuary.