1959 Map of Gig Harbor

About this map

Gig Harbor sits at the heart of this maritime landscape, where the town's namesake inlet provides a protected anchorage just north of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The 1959 culture revision reveals a period of significant coastal development and institutional growth. On the eastern shore, Tacoma and Ruston show a dense urban grid, dominated by industrial landmarks like the Tacoma Smelter and the Tacoma Yacht Club. This shoreline is contrasted by the wooded slopes of Point Defiance Park, which contains a Lighthouse, an Aquarium, and the Fort Nisqually (Restoration). Across Colvos Passage, the southern tip of Vashon Island features the Camp Sealth grounds and the ferry landing at Tahlequah. Further south, the landscape is defined by the intricate peninsulas surrounding Wollochet Bay, connecting localized settlements like Cromwell and Magnolia Heights to the larger sounds.