Loading map...

1969 Map of Salem West

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Salem West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The State Capitol stands as the heart of Oregon's political landscape in this survey, which captures the capital city during a period of significant mid-century suburban expansion. The Willamette River and its accompanying Willamette Slough bisect the area, separating the dense urban core of Salem from the developing hills of West Salem and the northern reach of Keizer. The landscape is a mix of institutional grounds and active industry, featuring the Oregon State Penitentiary, the State Fairgrounds, and numerous specialized facilities like the State Deaf Sch and State Blind Sch.

Transit networks are well-defined by the Southern Pacific RR and the Oregon Electric RR, which trace the river's path through a valley of gravel pits and orchards. From the heights of the Eola Hills and Salem Hills to the river islands like Minto Island and Browns Island, the map reveals the complex balance between the city's civic identity at Willamette University and the rural agricultural roots found at Chapman Corner and Liberty.