1951 Map of Coyote Rapids

About this map

The Hanford Works (A E C) dominates this mid-century landscape along the Columbia River, reflecting a period of intense industrial and federal activity. The map reveals the infrastructure of the Atomic Energy Commission's site, including numerous Test Wells, Tanks, and a network of 4 Lane roads cutting through the sagebrush terrain. Small settlements such as Wahluke, Allard, and Riverland are positioned along the riverbank, providing a look at the residential pockets that existed alongside the massive production facilities. The geography is defined by prominent basalt formations like Gable Mountain and Gable Butte, which rise above the Cold Creek Valley. This survey provides a record of the early Cold War transformation of the area, where high-security development met the traditional ranching and pumping operations of the Wahluke Slope.