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1919 Map of Mount St Helens

Name: 1919 Topographic Map of Mount St Helens
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1919
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1919

About this map

Mt St Helens dominates the landscape of the Columbian National Forest in this 1919 edition, captured long before its famous 1980 eruption changed the topography forever. The terrain is a network of ridges and water systems, where the Cowlitz River and Cispus River meet near the settlements of Kosmos and Nesika. Local life in the early 20th century is evidenced by Baugh School and several remote outposts, including the Toutle River Ranger Sta and Spirit Lake Ranger Sta.

Industrial activity appears in the form of high-altitude extraction at the Polar Star Mine and Sweden Mine near St Helens Lake. The map reveals early transportation and seasonal work patterns through features like the Basket Ferry on the lower rivers and Butte Camp on the mountain's southern flank. This survey preserves the original names of countless peaks and drainages, such as Spotted Buck Mtn and Hoffstadt Creek, reflecting the region's character as a frontier of logging and mining.