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1912 Map of Moses Lake

Name: 1912 Topographic Map of Moses Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

Moses Lake dominates this Central Washington landscape, shown here as it appeared before the significant mid-century irrigation projects altered the regional hydrology. The lake’s distinctive shape is defined by long, narrow extensions like Parker Horn, Lewis Horn, and Pelican Horn. To the south, the complex terrain of The Potholes and the path of Crab Creek illustrate the unique geological formations of the Columbia Basin.

Settlement patterns in the early twentieth century were sparse, concentrated around the small town of Neppel and the village of Mae. Educational needs of the burgeoning agricultural community were served by rural outposts such as Hiawatha School and West Shore School. The Northern Pacific railroad clips the northeastern corner, providing a vital connection for the region. This 1912 survey, reprinted later for continued use, documents the area's transition from a sagebrush desert into a developing ranching and farming district.