1959 Map of Nisqually

About this map

Fort Lewis Military Reservation and the sprawling Nisqually Flats dominate this mid-century landscape where the Nisqually River meets the Puget Sound. The map reveals a complex intersection of military land use, industrial infrastructure, and early suburban settlements like Beachcrest and Luhr Beach. The presence of the Indian Treaty Bdy and the McAllister Springs Aqueduct pumping station highlights the area's role in regional water management and historical land partitions. Significant transportation arteries, including the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern railroads, parallel the Pacific Highway, illustrating the corridor's importance for freight and travel. From the Holman Hill Sawmill near Dupont to the observation towers and bunkers of the Argonne Forest, the map captures a period of active military training and industrial activity alongside the natural wetlands of Edmond Marsh.