1956 Map of Ephrata

About this map

Beezley Hills dominate the southern landscape of this mid-century survey, rising above the expanding city of Ephrata. The map documents a critical period of infrastructure growth in Grant County, showing the intricate path of the West Canal as it snakes through the region to support local agriculture. The northern reach is defined by the saline waters of Soap Lake and the southern tip of Lake Lenore, while the dry expanses of Sagebrush Flat reveal the transition from open range to organized settlement. Institutional footprints are clearly marked, from the Ephrata Municipal Airport and Olson Spur to local educational landmarks like Columbia Ridge School and the already defunct Wheatland School (Aband). This topography illustrates the intersection of natural basalt coulee formations and the engineering required to bring water and rail to the high desert.