1984 Map of Rosalia

About this map

Eastern Washington University stands at the northern edge of this Palouse landscape, marking the academic hub of Cheney as it appeared in the mid-1980s. The region is defined by its transition from the water-rich scablands of the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge to the deep-soil wheat country of the south. This era shows a complex transportation network with the Burlington Northern, Union Pacific, and Milwaukee Road railroads all threading through the rolling hills to serve agricultural centers like Rosalia, St John, and Tekoa. The terrain is punctuated by significant volcanic remnants, most notably Steptoe Butte, which rises sharply above the surrounding fields within Steptoe Butte State Park. Notable water features including the long, narrow reach of Rock Lake and the winding course of Hangman Creek dictate the placement of smaller settlements like Pine City and Ewan along the drainage basins of the Palouse.