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2023 Map of Rochester

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Rochester
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The Chehalis River and its various tributaries, including Black River and Scatter Creek, define the landscape of this region where the southern Puget Sound prairies meet the river valleys. The settlement of Rochester sits at a central crossroads, surrounded by distinct geographic features such as Mima Prairie to the north and Grand Mound Prairie to the east. These open landscapes are historically significant as part of the specialized prairie ecosystems of Western Washington.

Evidence of long-standing community life is visible in the Mima Prairie Pioneer Cem and the Grand Mound Cem. The map tracks the transition from the upland terrain of Michigan Hill down into the productive Lincoln Creek Valley at the border of Thurston Co and Lewis Co. Notable landmarks like the Maple Lane School and the R & K Skyranch-Airport illustrate the varied development of the area near Helsing Junction and Grand Mound.