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1953 Map of Kelso

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Kelso
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Cowlitz River serves as the central artery of this region, separating the industrial and residential centers of Kelso and Longview. This survey shows the urban layout during a period of significant mid-century development, including the intricate street grid of West Kelso and the planned residential patterns of Columbia Valley Gardens and Davis Terrace. The landscape is dominated by the confluence where the Cowlitz meets the Columbia River near Slaughters Channel, a vital junction for the regional economy.

Education and community infrastructure are well-documented, featuring institutions like Lower Columbia Jr College, St Rose Sch, and the Ymca. Transportation is anchored by the Burlington Northern (Union Pacific) rail line and the Pacific Highway, which parallel the river. Along the northern reaches, smaller settlements like Lexington and Sandy Bend transition into the uplands of Beaton Hill and Rocky Point, providing a view of the area's topographically varied geography.