2023 Map of Thornton

About this map

Thornton stands as a focal point in this portion of Whitman County, situated near the headwaters of Thorn Creek. The landscape is defined by the high, rolling Palouse hills, where deep drainages like Hastings Gulch and Pleasant Valley break the agricultural expanse. To the west, the small settlement of Sunset sits along Cottonwood Creek, while Cashup marks a notable location to the southeast. Genealogists will find interest in the documented locations of Thornton Cem and Sheahan Cem, which preserve the names of early farming families in the region. The map reveals an extensive network of rural roads such as Washboard Rd and Elmer Huntley Rd, tracing the paths between homesteads and grain-handling points. This modern survey illustrates how the original land claims and township boundaries, including t19n r43e, continue to dictate the placement of local infrastructure and private property lines.