1917 Map of Salem

About this map

The Willamette River defines the central axis of this Oregon landscape, carving through fertile agricultural plains and supporting a complex network of river landings and early infrastructure. The state capital, Salem, appears as a developing hub at the confluence of the river and major rail lines, including the Southern Pacific and the Oregon Electric railway. Notable for its concentration of early twentieth-century social infrastructure, the map identifies specialized facilities such as the State Institution for Feeble-Minded, the Oregon State Training School, and the Poor Farm School for the Deaf. To the west and south, the terrain transitions into the Croisan Ridge and small farming communities like Monmouth and Independence. Significant lowlands like Keizer Bottom and American Bottom highlight the river's historical floodplains, marked by landings such as Wigrich Landing and Wells Landing that once served the valley's maritime economy.