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1950 Map of Spokane NW

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Spokane NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

Spokane River winds through the heart of this post-war landscape, carving a deep gorge that separates the urban core from the prominent heights of Five Mile Prairie. The city is depicted at a moment of significant institutional and military presence, anchored by the George Wright Air Force Base and the historic grounds of Fort Wright. Education and social infrastructure are densely mapped, featuring established campuses like Gonzaga University and Holy Names College, alongside specialized facilities such as the St Josephs Orphanage and the Trade School.

Industrial activity is concentrated along the extensive rail networks of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways, which service the GN Shops and a large Magnesium Plant near the northeast corner. The map documents the residential expansion toward Country Homes and the detailed layout of neighborhood parks like Manito Park and Natatorium Park. Researchers can trace the mid-century city boundary as it met the surrounding rural terrain of Palisades Park and Indian Canyon.