1979 Map of Gales Creek

About this map

Gales Creek serves as the focal point for this landscape where the agricultural valleys of Washington County meet the rising timberlands of the Tillamook State Forest. In the late 1970s, the area demonstrates a mix of rural crossroads and growing suburban fringes, with Forest Grove expanding toward the southern edge of the sheet. The map documents several small, historical communities such as Kansas City, Greenville, and Hillside, many of which grew around early post offices and schools. Moving into the higher elevations toward Gales Peak, the terrain is defined by a dense network of mountain streams including Clear Creek and Thomas Creek. Local genealogy is well-represented through numerous burial grounds like the Gales Creek Cem and Purdin Cem, as well as the family-named landmarks like David Hill and Shearer Hill. Water management is prominent in the lowland reaches, seen in the Jackson Reservoir and the engineered channels of the local Drainage District.