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1959 Map of Gig Harbor

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Gig Harbor
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Gig Harbor and the western edge of Tacoma are defined by the intricate waterways of The Narrows, Colvos Passage, and Hale Passage. This 1959 revision illustrates the post-war expansion of residential areas around Harbor Heights and Artondale, with purple-tinted updates from the early 1970s showing the densifying suburban footprint. The landscape transitions from the maritime industry of the Tacoma Smelter and Tacoma Yacht Club to the preserved grounds of Point Defiance Park, featuring a restored Fort Nisqually.

The presence of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge provides a vital link between the mainland and the Gig Harbor peninsula, facilitating the growth of settlements like Wollochet and Sunrise Beach. To the east, the southern tip of Vashon Island is visible at Tahlequah, where the ferry connection marks a primary transit point. Local history is anchored by sites such as the Gig Harbor Cemetery and numerous educational landmarks like Woodrow Wilson High School.