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1949 Map of Tacoma North

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Tacoma North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

The industrial heartbeat of Tacoma and its maritime approaches are captured in this mid-century survey, detailing the complex network of waterways that define the Port of Tacoma. From the Hylebos Waterway to the Middle Waterway, the map illustrates a landscape transformed by commerce and naval requirements, including the U S Navy Shipyard. This era shows the city’s established educational anchors, such as the College of Puget Sound, Stadium High Sch, and the Annie Wright Seminary, situated on the bluffs overlooking Commencement Bay.

Across the water, the rural character of Vashon Island and Maury Island contrasts sharply with the mainland’s density. Coastal residential pockets like Dash Point and Hyada Park appear alongside the infrastructure of the Northern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads. The map provides an intricate look at the transition from heavy industry at the mouth of the Puyallup River to the developing neighborhoods of Northeast Tacoma and Old Tacoma.