1959 Map of McKenna

About this map

The Nisqually River carves a deep valley through the center of this landscape, separating the wide open Yelm Prairie from the timbered reaches of the Fort Lewis Military Reservation. In the late 1950s, the region was a hub of agricultural and military activity, with small settlements like McKenna and Yelm situated along a dense network of rail lines including the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific. Evidence of industrial history is visible in the Ruins and Pumping Station near the river, while rural life is anchored by landmarks such as the Grange Hall on Smith Prairie. The map captures a complex system of flumes and ditches, like the one running from Five Corners toward the river, reflecting the area's historical reliance on water management for both irrigation and local industry.