1940 Map of McMinnville

About this map

The Yamhill River and Willamette River dictate the settlement patterns of this Willamette Valley landscape as seen just before the mid-century. The river-and-rail economy is evident through the presence of the Southern Pacific and Oregon Electric RR, alongside river-based infrastructure like the Yamhill Locks and the Wheatland Ferry. Beyond the hub of McMinnville, the map reveals a dense network of rural landmarks, including the curiously named Grub College and several local schools such as Durham Sch and Prairie School. Large island and bottomland features like Grand Island and Mission Bottom show how the alluvial terrain was utilized, while topographic features like Eola Crest provide a backdrop to the productive agricultural land of Dayton Prairie. Genealogists will find interest in the scattered rural churches like the Webfoot Church and Evangelical Church that served these farming communities.