1950 Map of Vancouver

About this map

Portland and Vancouver anchor this mid-century survey of the lower Columbia River basin, documenting the region's post-war infrastructure and industrial footprint. The urban core at the confluence of the Columbia River and Willamette River is shown in detail, surrounded by a dense network of major railroads including the Union Pacific RR, Southern Pacific RR, and Spokane Portland & Seattle RR. To the west, the landscape transitions through the Coast Range to the rugged Pacific shoreline, where coastal settlements like Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Tillamook are linked by the winding corridor of U.S. 101. Inland, the map captures the extensive forest lands of the Mount Hood National Forest and Siuslaw National Forest, alongside established agricultural zones and the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. Significant water features such as Lake Merwin, Yale Reservoir, and the Tualatin River highlight the hydraulic complexity of this Pacific Northwest hub.