1904 Map of Chiwaukum

About this map

The Great Northern Railway anchors the development of this mountain corridor at the turn of the century, providing the vital link between the early settlements of Leavenworth and Peshastin and the high passes of the Wenatchee Mountains. Following the survey of 1900-01, the map highlights the critical infrastructure of the era, including the Nason Creek Dardanelles PO and the rail-dependent hamlets of Winton and Merritt. The geography is defined by the massive drainage systems of the Chiwawa River and the Little Wenatchee River, which converge at Wenatchee Lake. This map records the landscape just as the railroad was being finalized through the area, marking a transition from a wilderness of isolated lookout stations like those on Dirtyface Peak and Rock Mtn to a more permanent network of mountain valley townships such as Plain.