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2020 Map of Salem West

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Salem West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

The Willamette River carves a deep path through the heart of this region, separating the residential expansions of West Salem from the civic core of Salem. In the early 21st century, the landscape reflects a dense urban grid balanced against the riparian lowlands of Minto Island and Browns Island. The eastern bank serves as the seat of government, housing the Marion County Courthouse and the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon, while the campus of Willamette University anchors the historic downtown district.

Evidence of the area's long-standing community roots is found in several prominent burial grounds, including the Lee Mission Cem and Pioneer Cem. Beyond the city center, the terrain rises into the Eola Hills and Illahe Hill, where the transition from suburban neighborhoods to rural orchards and reservoirs like Staats Reservoir is clearly visible. The transportation network is defined by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads, which parallel the river's course through Keizer and toward the airfield at McNary Field.