1950 Map of Spokane NW

About this map

Spokane spreads across the plateau and canyon lands during the early postwar years, revealing a city defined by its educational institutions and military presence. Higher education is anchored by the riverfront campus of Gonzaga University and the Holy Names College, while the northwestern reaches are dominated by the George Wright Air Force Base and a sprawling Naval Reservation. The topography is stark, transitioning from the flat expanse of Five Mile Prairie to the steep Palisades and the winding Spokane River valley. This 1950 survey shows an extensive rail network including the Great Northern and Spokane International lines, which supported the region's industrial growth. From the numerous neighborhood schools like North Central HS to the outlying Calkins Air Terminal, the map documents the infrastructure of a regional hub in a period of significant expansion.