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1917 Map of Salem

Name: 1917 Topographic Map of Salem
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1917
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1917

About this map

The Willamette River anchors this 1917 survey of the Willamette Valley, showing the capital city of Salem as a bustling river and rail hub. The landscape is characterized by the "bottom" lands, such as American Bottom, and the low, rolling hills of Croisan Ridge. Transportation is defined by a dense network of steam and electric lines, including the Southern Pacific and the Oregon Electric railway, which connects several smaller agricultural settlements like Rickreall, Eola, and Monmouth.

Social history is remarkably visible through the numerous state institutions located south and east of the city, such as the Oregon State Training School and the Poor Farm School for Feeble-Minded. Along the river, historical river travel is evidenced by several named landings, including Wigrich Landing, Judson Landing, and Wells Landing, which served as vital collection points for valley produce before the modern highway system fully took hold.