Loading map...

1959 Map of Steilacoom

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Steilacoom
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Steilacoom and the southern reaches of Tacoma are defined by a complex interface of suburban growth, institutional land use, and major military installations during the mid-20th century. The prominent campus of the Western Washington State Hospital sits near Chambers Bay, surrounded by evolving residential tracts like Lakewood Center and University Place. Large swaths of the landscape are dedicated to the Fort Lewis Military Reservation and McChord Air Force Base, showing the significant defense footprint in Pierce County.

Water and recreation shape the local character, from the shores of Carr Inlet and Puget Sound to the numerous inland bodies such as Steilacoom Lake and Gravelly Lake. Transportation networks are well-established, featuring the Northern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads alongside the developing Pacific Highway. The map also captures several educational and social landmarks, including Clover Park High Sch and the South Tacoma State Game Refuge, reflecting the region's mid-century expansion.