1901 Map of Ellensburg

About this map

Ellensburg and Yakima anchor this turn-of-the-century landscape, connected by the vital corridor of the Northern Pacific R. R. as it follows the Yakima River. The map captures a pivotal moment of expansion in the central Washington valleys, documenting early settlements like Selah, Wenas, and Nile before modern irrigation and interstate development transformed the terrain. To the west, the boundaries of the Wenatchee National Forest and Snoqualmie National Forest meet high ridgelines, including the prominent Manastash Ridge and Cleman Mountain. In the south, the Yakima Indian Reservation begins along Ahtanum Creek, while the remote Old Durr Road provides a glimpse into the rugged transport network of the late 1800s. The dense web of mountain forks feeding the Tieton River and Naches River illustrates the complex hydrology that would soon support the region's agricultural boom.