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1897 Map of Seattle

Name: 1897 Topographic Map of Seattle
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1897
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1897

About this map

The Seattle waterfront and the surrounding Puget Sound lowlands appear here in a period of rapid expansion, just as the Klondike Gold Rush began to transform the region's economy. The map illustrates a landscape defined by its deep-water access and a burgeoning rail network, including the Great Northern RR and the Northern Pacific RR winding through the valleys. Coastal settlements like Everett and Edmonds are clearly established, while the interior is dotted with early landing sites such as Curtis Landing and Moorland along the eastern shores of Lake Washington.

Significant industrial and transit detail is visible, from the Mosher Lumber RR near Possession Sound to the winding Sammamish River connecting the lakes. Small communities like Woodinville, Juanita, and Bothell serve as inland hubs, while prominent coastal landmarks such as Magnolia Bluff and West Pt. define the approach to Elliott Bay. This survey provides a look at the Pacific Northwest before the major engineering projects of the 20th century altered the regional hydrology.