1950 Map of Hay

About this map

Snake River frontage and the deep canyon systems of southeast Washington define this 1950s landscape, captured just before major hydroelectric developments altered the river’s character. The Union Pacific railroad tracks follow the course of Alkali Flat Creek through the settlement of Hay, connecting small agricultural outposts like Jerita and Shreck to the regional grain trade. The map shows a transition from the high plateau wheat lands down to the river bottoms at Central Ferry, where the Central Ferry School and Peyton School once served a dispersed ranching community. Further south, the terrain breaks into steep drainage systems including Pataha Valley and New York Gulch. Social landmarks of the era are clearly marked, such as Selbu Church in the north and the Pataha Valley Grange near the junction of Pataha Creek and Chard Gulch, reflecting the region's deep-rooted agrarian heritage.