1975 Map of Portland

About this map

Portland reveals its mid-1970s industrial and urban density through this detailed orthophotographic perspective. Unlike traditional topographic sheets, this aerial imagery provides a direct view of the shipping channels and infrastructure lining the Willamette River as it flows toward the Columbia. The contrast between the heavily developed grid of the city and the high-elevation settlement at Sylvan highlights the complex geography of the West Hills. To the north, across the river, Vancouver is visible at the edge of the survey, showing the interconnected nature of these two major river cities. The 1975 photoimagery captures the specific layout of docks, rail yards, and residential neighborhoods before the urban shifts of the late twentieth century.