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1949 Map of Vashon

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Vashon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

Vashon Island and Maury Island are depicted here as a landscape of interconnected maritime settlements and coastal hills during the late 1940s. The map illustrates a community anchored by its shoreline, with a high density of small waterfront communities such as Ellisport, Burton, and Magnolia Beach. Central development is concentrated around Vashon and Vashon Center, where the Vashon Sch and various Greenhouses indicate the island's agricultural and civic foundations.

Transport and communication infrastructure define the island's mid-century character, from the Tel Line crossing the interior to the prominent KOMO Radio Towers at Point Beals. The geography is deeply tied to the surrounding waters of Colvos Passage and Puget Sound, with the narrow isthmus at Portage serving as the vital link between the two main islands. Coastal landmarks like Point Heyer and Fern Cove define the irregular shoreline, while the protected waters of Quartermaster Harbor provided shelter for smaller settlements like Mileta and Raeco.