1954 Map of St Helens

About this map

The Columbia River serves as the dominant artery of this mid-century survey, defining the industrial and agricultural corridors of Columbia County. This map documents a landscape heavily influenced by the timber and transport sectors, centered on the growing riverfront hub of St Helens and the nearby community of Columbia City. The intersection of water and rail is evident in the presence of the Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway and the Northern Pacific Railway, which facilitated the movement of goods through settlements like Goble and Scappoose. Inland, the terrain rises toward Strawberry Ridge, where the Wilark Guard Station and Meissner Lookout reflect the region's managed forests. Notable for local history and genealogy are several vanished or shifted educational sites, including the Dowd School and the Shiloh Basin School, alongside family-named landmarks like McBride School and Yankton School.