1956 Map of Moses Lake

About this map

Larson Air Force Base dominates the northern landscape of this mid-century survey, its extensive military infrastructure and specialized Larson AFB School serving a growing Cold War population. The intricate shoreline of Moses Lake is meticulously detailed, showcasing the finger-like extensions of Lewis Horn, Parker Horn, and Pelican Horn as they meet the rising residential developments of Moses Lake and Westlake. To the south, the vast Potholes Reservoir reveals a complex aqueous environment of submerged dunes and small islands like Galleys I, a result of the Columbia Basin Project's irrigation efforts. This geography illustrates the mid-1950s transition from the arid brush of Mae Valley to a managed landscape of water and wind-blown Sand Dunes. Local landmarks such as the County Fairgrounds and several new schools like Knolls Vista Sch mark the town's expansion away from the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific rail lines.