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1939 Map of Forks

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Forks
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

Forks stands as the central hub of this Olympic Peninsula landscape, situated at the confluence of the Soleduck River, Calawah River, and Bogachiel River. In the late 1930s, the region’s economy is clearly defined by timber and emerging oil exploration. The presence of the Port Angeles Western railroad and the Bloedel Donovan Beaver Camp highlight the intensive logging operations of the era, while the Huling Bro Shingle Mill signals local processing.

Further south, the map reveals early industrial activity near the coast with the Oil City Camp and Washington Oil Co located near a Lacey Oil Seepage. Settlers and ranchers have established numerous homesteads across the varied terrain, from the Forks Prairie to Lagitos Hill, with family names like Otto Dimmel Ranch and Cassel Ranch marking the valley floors. Social infrastructure is represented by the First Congregational Ch, the Forks Hospital, and the Forks Cem, providing a detailed view of a community deeply tied to its river-bound geography.