1975 Map of Centralia

About this map

Centralia and Chehalis anchor this 1975 aerial study, showing the mid-century urban expansion along the Interstate 5 corridor in Lewis County. The orthophoto format provides a clear view of the complex hydrology where the Skookumchuck River meets the Chehalis River, a confluence that has long dictated the layout of these neighboring timber and rail towns. The residential grids of Fords Prairie are visible to the northwest, illustrating how local development began to fill the flatlands between the river bends and the rising forested hills to the east. This transition from traditional downtown blocks to industrial zones and suburban pockets reflects the region's mid-1970s character, capturing the landscape before decades of modern commercial development altered the footprint of the Chehalis River valley.