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1954 Map of Onalaska

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Onalaska
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Cowlitz Chehalis and Cascade Railroad defines the industrial corridor of this mid-century Lewis County landscape, connecting the timber-heavy highlands of the Snoqualmie National Forest with lowland milling centers. The settlement of Onalaska stands as a primary hub, featuring a local High Sch and organized street grid typical of a thriving company town. To the south, the Cowlitz River carves a broad valley through the Cowlitz Prairie, where agricultural clearings at Ethel and Mayfield contrast with the dense drainage networks of the Skookumchuck River in the north.

Rural life is anchored by small crossroads like Alpha, which includes the Alpha Cem, and Salkum, situated near the confluence of Mill Creek and the river. The presence of several Hunters Cabins and a Hunters Cabin LO (Lookout) in the northern hills suggests a landscape still heavily utilized for seasonal tracking and forestry management, while the State Fish Hatchery near Winston points to the early diversification of the river economy.