1951 Map of Richland

About this map

Hanford Works (A E C) dominates the northern landscape of this mid-century survey, reflecting the immense scale of the Atomic Energy Commission's operations. The settlement of Richland appears at a transformative moment, showing the planned residential grid and the Richland Airport serving the high-security installation. To the south and west, the agricultural foundations of the region remain visible through the extensive irrigation network, including the Horn Rapids Ditch, Columbia Canal, and several sections of Abandoned Canal. The confluence of the Yakima River and the Columbia River serves as the geographic anchor for the region's transport, where the Union Pacific railroad tracks pass through Benton City and Kiona. Notable local landmarks such as Grosseup Ranch and the distinctive bend at The Horn provide fine-grained detail for those tracing the development of Benton County's industrial and ranching history.