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1914 Map of Independence

Name: 1914 Topographic Map of Independence
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1914
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1914

About this map

Independence and Monmouth anchor the western landscape of this 1914 survey, joined by the dedicated Independence and Monmouth RR. The geography is defined by the winding course of the Willamette River, which creates the distinct American Bottom lowlands where Wigrich and the American Bottom School once served local families. The terrain rises sharply to the south into a series of named elevations including Davidson Hill, Oak Hill, and Cemetery Hill, overlooking the confluence where the Luckiamute River meets the Willamette.

John H. Lewis and the U.S. Geological Survey detail a river-and-rail economy in transition, featuring prominent river crossings like Wigrich Landing and the Davidson Bridge. To the south, the settlement of Buena Vista sits at a strategic bend in the river, while the Southern Pacific RR and Valley and Siletz RR lines illustrate the vital transport network of Polk County before the modern highway era.