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1962 Map of Erskine

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Erskine
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Deschutes River carves a deep, winding path through the basalt plateaus of Sherman County, creating a dramatic corridor for transportation at the start of the 1960s. This survey illustrates the convergence of major rail lines, with the Oregon Trunk Railroad and the Spokane Portland and Seattle following the river's contours, while the Union Pacific tracks run across the higher elevations to the east.

Settlement patterns are concentrated around small outposts like Erskine, which sits near a Gravel Pit and the local IOOF Cem. The landscape is defined by its deep drainages, including Sixteen Canyon and Grass Valley Canyon, which slice through the high plains toward the river. Scattered landmarks such as Sheep Springs and Water Tank Well indicate the importance of water management in this high-desert agricultural environment during the mid-century era.