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1961 Map of Tacoma North

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Tacoma North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

Tacoma is depicted as a thriving maritime and industrial hub at the entrance to Commencement Bay during the 1960s. The dense city grid shows a concentration of cultural and educational landmarks, including the iconic Stadium High Sch, Aquinas Academy, and Wright Seminary. Along the waterfront, the complex network of waterways—such as Hylebos Waterway and City Waterway—reflects the city's dependence on shipping, supported by Grain Elevators and the rails of the Northern Pacific.

Across the water, the southern reaches of Vashon Island and Maury Island present a more residential and agricultural character. Small coastal settlements like Dockton, Manzanita, and Summerhurst dot the shoreline of Quartermaster Harbor. The presence of both the Dash Point Lighthouse and Browns Point Lighthouse emphasizes the navigational importance of Dalco Passage for vessels entering the southern Sound during this era of peak Pacific Northwest maritime activity.