1950 Map of La Crosse

About this map

Union Pacific rail lines dominate the landscape of the Palouse region, following the winding course of the Palouse River and its major tributaries. The 1950 field check reveals a network of small grain-country settlements, including La Crosse and Winona, which grew as vital hubs for the surrounding agricultural plateau. This map illustrates the intersection of natural waterways like Rebel Flat Creek and Willow Creek with the technological infrastructure of the mid-century, such as the La Crosse Municipal Airport and its nearby Airway Beacon. The topography is defined by the unique coulees and scabland formations characteristic of the Adams and Whitman County border, where smaller hamlets like Sutton and Pampa serve as landmarks along the rail corridors. Researchers can observe the tight relationship between the drainage patterns of Rock Creek and the placement of the iron road.