1938 Map of Fort Columbia

About this map

Fort Columbia Military Reservation stands as a sentinel at the mouth of the Columbia River, anchoring a coastal landscape defined by the tidal fluctuations of Willapa Bay and the river’s massive estuary. This 1938 survey captures a community deeply rooted in the maritime and timber economies of Southwest Washington, where numerous family holdings like the S Ring Ranch, J P Church Ranch, and M D Goulter Ranch dot the valley floors and ridges. The Naselle River winds through the interior toward Naselle, supporting local infrastructure like the Naselle State Salmon Hatchery. Along the southern shoreline, industrial and federal sites such as the U S Quarantine Station, a Fish Cannery, and the Chinook Jetty illustrate the navigational and commercial importance of Baker Bay and the surrounding waters.