1955 Map of Nehalem

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad hugs the coastal shelf and riverbanks in this mid-century survey, linking a string of timber and fishing settlements along the Oregon coast. From the northern heights of Oswald D West State Park and Neahkahnie Mtn, the landscape transitions into the tidal flats of Nehalem Bay, where Nehalem and Wheeler served as vital hubs. Further south, the map documents the precarious geography of Bayocean and the developing resort communities of Rockaway and Manhattan Beach. Inland, the economy is defined by the steep drainages of the Miami River and Kilchis River, supporting operations like the Nehalem Fish Hatchery. This record is particularly valuable for tracing the location of vanished local landmarks, such as the Neahkahnie School and the coastal rail sidings at Watseco and Barview before significant modern development altered the shoreline.