1940 Map of Vernonia

About this map

The Nehalem River winds through the heart of this 1940 tactical survey, defining the settlement patterns of northwestern Oregon during the pre-war era. The town of Vernonia serves as the primary hub, surrounded by a landscape of timber-covered ridges and narrow valleys where smaller outposts like Pittsburg and Koster took root. The mapping, conducted by the Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army using aerial photography from the 91st Observation Squadron, provides a precise look at the rural infrastructure of the time, including the Pleasant Hill School and Beaver Creek School. High-elevation observation points such as Catherwood Lookout and Baker Pt Lookout overlook the complex drainage systems of Rock Creek and Oak Ranch Creek, highlighting the importance of fire watch and forest management along the Columbia and Washington County line.