1957 Map of Mission Bottom

About this map

The Willamette River defines this fertile stretch of the valley where Marion, Yamhill, and Polk counties converge. This mid-century landscape is marked by the shifting path of the water, evidenced by numerous river bars like Matheny Bar and McCloskie Bar, and the presence of significant landforms like Grand Island and Windsor Island. The map documents a deeply historical region, featuring the Jason Lee Mission Historical Marker County Park and the vital Wheatland Ferry crossing. Agriculture and community life are grounded in settlements such as Wheatland and Hopewell, while the Western Mennonite School and Claggett Cem serve as important local landmarks. To the east, the French Prairie opens up near Keizer, showing the transition from the river bottomlands to the developed edges of the Clear Lake Golf Course and expanding urban boundaries.