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1948 Map of Orem

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Orem
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The massive Geneva Steel Plant dominates the western shoreline of Utah Lake, marking a period of intense industrial activity along the Provo Bench. This postwar landscape is defined by the intersection of heavy industry and established agricultural communities, with the Union Pacific and Denver and Rio Grande Western railroads providing the essential transport arteries. Settlement patterns show the growth of Orem and Pleasant Grove, supported by an intricate network of irrigation including the Murdock Canal, Timpanogos Canal, and Provo Canal.

Local institutions are well-represented, from the Lincoln HS and Sharon School to the Labor Camp near the Provo River. The map captures a transition as the orchards of the bench met the industrial demands of the steel era, with the peaks of the Wasatch Range, such as Big Baldy, looming over the developing valley floor. Small enclaves like Christmas City and Caryhurst highlight the diverse pocket communities existing alongside the larger municipalities.