1954 Map of Salem

About this map

The Willamette River valley serves as the central artery of this mid-century landscape, connecting the capital at Salem to the growing hubs of Corvallis, Albany, and Eugene. The map illustrates a complex transportation network where the Southern Pacific RR and Oregon Electric Ry parallel the primary highway corridors of Us 99w and Us 99e. Beyond the fertile valley floor, the terrain rises sharply into the Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Range to the east, featuring landmarks like Marys Peak and the volcanic peak of Mount Jefferson. Water management and industrial development are evident in the presence of the Fern Ridge Reservoir and the Detroit Reservoir on the North Santiam R. From the timber-rich lands of the Siuslaw National Forest near Newport to the high alpine reaches of the Mount Hood National Forest, this survey documents the integration of Oregon's natural resources with its mid-1950s urban expansion.