1954 Map of Cheney

About this map

The Eastern Washington College of Education anchors the north of this landscape, overlooking a complex network of rail lines and wetlands. Extensive railroad infrastructure defines the region, with the Union Pacific and Northern Pacific converging near the town center of Cheney. The map reveals a transition from these early transportation hubs to the preservation of the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, where a labyrinth of water bodies like McDowell Lake and Cossalman Lake fill the Channeled Scablands. Local history is deeply embedded in the rural surroundings, marked by the Capt J Mullan Historic Monument and the sites of early education such as Harmony School (Aban'd) and Cherry Springs Sch (Aban'd). From the small settlement of Amber to the depths of Badger Lake, the survey records a mid-century balance of academic growth, heavy industry, and wilderness conservation.