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1948 Map of Vancouver

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Vancouver
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Columbia River serves as the dominant geographic spine of this Pacific Northwest region, dividing the growing urban centers of Portland and Vancouver as they appeared just after World War II. The map illustrates a diverse landscape of riverine commerce, coastal settlement, and timbered highlands. Along the Pacific coast, U S Highway 101 connects a string of beachside communities from Seaside down through the now-lost spit of Bayocean on Tillamook Bay. The interior is defined by complex river systems like the Willamette and Nehalem, which supported the region's agricultural and industrial base.

Transportation networks are remarkably dense, featuring the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads alongside numerous state highways. Industrial activity is represented by the Skamania Mine and East Chance Mine, while the vast tracts of the Mount Hood National Forest and Siuslaw National Forest indicate the importance of public lands. The presence of the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation and the large Sauvie Island at the river confluence further highlight the varied land use across this transition from the coast to the Cascades.