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1920 Map of Heceta Head

Name: 1920 Topographic Map of Heceta Head
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1920
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1920

About this map

Heceta Head and its prominent coastal landmarks define this 1920 survey of the Oregon shoreline. The landscape transitions from the steep, forested slopes of the Siuslaw National Forest to a complex network of coastal freshwater lakes and dunes. Notable local infrastructure includes the Coast Guard Station near the southern boundary and several rural schoolhouses such as Big Creek School and Mercer School that served early 20th-century families.

Tracing the movement of people and goods, the map highlights The Portage near the North Fork Siuslaw River, revealing how early settlers navigated the terrain between the ocean and the interior. Large water bodies like Mercer Lake, Sutton Lake, and Munsel Lake are mapped in detail, showing their proximity to the shifting sands of Threemile Prairie. The tiny settlement of Heceta is recorded just north of the iconic lighthouse point, providing a record of the community before modern development.