1962 Map of Shevlin Park

About this map

Shevlin Park and the rugged fringes of the Deschutes National Forest dominate this early 1960s landscape west of Bend. The terrain is marked by a transition from forested ridges like Swede Ridge and Triangle Hill to the complex water management systems essential for high-desert settlement. A network of man-made waterways, including the Columbia Southern Canal, Tumalo Canal, and Tumalo Feed Canal, crisscrosses the slopes to redirect flow from Tumalo Creek and Bull Spring Creek. These irrigation structures, alongside an Old Railroad Grade, reveal the industrial and agricultural efforts required to tame this portion of the high desert. The map also captures recreation and forestry infrastructure, such as Skyliners Road, the Highline Trail, and a Check Tower, reflecting the era's focus on timber management and early outdoor access near Fremont Meadow.