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1948 Map of Nisqually

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Nisqually
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

Nisqually River delta and the expansive marshlands of the Tidal Flat define this landscape just after the mid-century. The area is dominated by the Fort Lewis Military Reservation, which encompasses a vast array of training grounds and geographic features, including the dense Argonne Forest and numerous named elevations like Newman Hill and Infantry Bluff. Settlement is concentrated at Dupont and Nisqually, with smaller coastal points like Lhur Beach tucked under Nisqually Head.

Infrastructure of the era is remarkably clear, showing the Northern Pacific railroad corridor and stops at Nisqually Sta and St Clair Sta. The map reveals the intricate water network feeding into the Nisqually Reach, from the pumping station at McAllister Springs to the scattered glacial lakes like Hodge Lake and Old Fort Lake. Researchers can trace the early route of the Old Pacific Highway as it bypasses the military grounds, providing a detailed look at the interface between federal defense lands and civilian rural life.