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1953 Map of East Kittitas

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of East Kittitas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

East Kittitas and the surrounding valley floor are defined by an intricate network of irrigation and infrastructure in the early 1950s. The landscape is a study in engineering, where the Highline Canal and Cascade Canal cut across the contours of the land, supported by features like the Pumping Sta and the Gravity Ditch to manage water flow from Park Creek and Badger Creek. This reliance on water management reflects the agricultural transformation of the Kittitas Valley, making the land viable for settlement and industry.

The Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad winds through the terrain, passing through Renslow and entering the dramatic geography of Johnson Canyon. To the northeast, the elevation rises sharply toward Boyston Mountain, providing a stark contrast between the managed waterways of the lowlands and the high ridges. This survey, mapped by the Army Map Service, captures the intersection of natural features like Warm Springs with the industrial might of the transcontinental rail line.