1964 Map of Colton

About this map

Colton serves as the primary hub in this corner of Whitman County, shown during a period of transition in the mid-1970s. The town site is clearly defined by its High Sch, local Cem, and the vital Burlington Northern railroad line that skirts the eastern edge of the community. Beyond the settled area, the landscape is deeply incised by a series of dramatic coulees and canyons, most notably Yakawawa Canyon, Nisqually John Canyon, and Steptoe Canyon, which all drain toward the river system to the southwest. The southwestern corner of the sheet reveals a significant aquatic landscape where the Lower Snake River forms Lake Granite, marking the border with Garfield County. Remote outposts like the Nesterbank Ranch highlight the specialized agricultural and ranching operations that have long utilized the complex topography between the high flats and the river breaks.