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1961 Map of Portland

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Portland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Portland and the industrial banks of the Willamette River are showcased in this mid-century period of expansion, featuring updated urban footprints shown in purple. The map details the complex hydraulic environment of the Columbia Slough and the Peninsula Drainage Canal, north of the residential grids of Piedmont and Irvington. Notably, it marks the Vanport City (Site), preserving the location of the former wartime housing development along the Columbia River margin.

Transportation corridors dominate the landscape, from the Union Pacific and Northern Pacific rail lines to the multiple river crossings including the Steel Bridge and Broadway Bridge. Institutional landmarks like the University of Portland and Benson Polytechnic High Sch serve as anchors within the city’s established neighborhoods, while the Port of Portland and Swan Island shipyard reflect the era's robust maritime economy.