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1956 Map of Tidewater

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Tidewater
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Alsea River snakes through the heart of the Siuslaw National Forest, anchoring a landscape defined by timber, mountain ridges, and isolated outposts in the mid-1950s. The settlement of Tidewater serves as a focal point along the river's winding course, while the confluence of Five Rivers and the Yachats River drainage to the south reveal the complex hydrology of the Coast Range. This survey, updated from 1942 planetable work and 1952 aerial photography, documents a period when forest management and local agriculture were primary drivers of the region's economy.

Local infrastructure is represented by distinctive features such as the Covered Bridge and Denzer Bridge, alongside educational and social hubs like Yachats Sch and the Yachats Grange. Remnants of human activity in the deep woods are marked by several shelters, including the Fivemile Shelter and Drift Creek Shelter, providing a clear view of the recreational and forestry network at the time. Prominent peaks like Cannibal Mtn and Scott Mtn loom over the valley floors, where the Bohannon Ranch and smaller settlements like Fisher maintained a quiet presence.