1949 Map of Chinook

About this map

Chinook and the adjacent Stringtown occupy a vital stretch of the Columbia River estuary where the water meets the shore of Baker Bay. This 1949 survey, with revisions from the early 1980s, illustrates a landscape defined by the transition from the timbered heights of Bear River Ridge to the low-lying wetlands of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. The map details a coastal economy reliant on both land and sea, featuring named agricultural holdings like Kyle Ranch and Goulter Ranch alongside maritime infrastructure such as the Chinook Jetty. In the south, the strategic positioning of Fort Columbia State Park on Scarboro Hill overlooks the Ilwaco Channel, marking the historic entrance to the river. Land use patterns here show a mix of ranching and early aviation, represented by the Port of Ilwaco Airport along Airport Road.