2020 Map of Nortons

About this map

The Yaquina River winds through the heart of this coastal range landscape, south of the small settlement of Nortons. This interior section of the Coast Range is defined by a series of named ridges and gaps that dictated early travel and timber access, including Steer Divide, Indian Gap, and Millers Gap. The topographical names suggest a history of early homesteading and localized education, as seen with Tater Hill, Norton Hill, and School Hill. Local genealogy is anchored by the Nortons Cem near the river and the Wigle Cem to the northwest. The drainage network is dense with tributaries like Buttermilk Cr and Little Rock Cr, while the inclusion of Buttermilk Lake provides a rare standing water feature in this elevation-heavy terrain.