1942 Map of Reedsport

About this map

Reedsport and Gardiner anchor this wartime coastal survey at the confluence of the Umpqua and Smith rivers. During this era, the region’s economy is clearly defined by its timber and maritime assets, with the Southern Pacific railroad and the Pacific Highway providing critical transport links through the Siuslaw National Forest. The map captures a detailed inventory of early coastal infrastructure, including the Umpqua River LH and several island landmarks like Bolon I and Cannery I. To the south, a chain of freshwater bodies including Eel Lake, Clear Lake, and Lake Marie sits just inland from the dunes, flanked by rural landmarks like the Templeton and Lakeview schools. The topography highlights the transition from the Pacific Ocean shoreline to the dense woods of the Elliott State Forest, revealing the early footprint of Winchester Bay and Lakeside before major modern development.