1949 Map of Vashon

About this map

Vashon Island Highway serves as the central spine for this Puget Sound community, connecting a series of coastal settlements and inland family farms during the mid-twentieth century. The landscape is defined by its maritime orientation, with developed shorelines at Sylvan Beach, Glen Acres, and Ellisport looking out over the Puget Sound East Passage and Colvos Passage. The narrow isthmus at Portage links the main island to Maury Island, where the Point Robinson Maury US Coast Guard Reservation guards the eastern approach. Local infrastructure of the era is remarkably detailed, featuring the Vashon Municipal Airport, the Matsuda Res, and institutional landmarks like the McMurray Sch. The map reveals a transition from traditional marine-access landings like Vashon Landing to a more road-dependent residential pattern, while preserved spaces like Agren Memorial Park and Burton Acres Park hint at the island's emerging recreational character.