Loading map...

1957 Map of Wasco

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Wasco
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Columbia River rapids and steep canyon walls define this stretch of the Pacific Northwest, where the Union Pacific and the Spokane Portland and Seattle RR trace opposite banks of the water. The landscape is marked by a series of turbulent water features, including Indian Rapids, Hook Rapids, and the multi-staged Lower John Day Rapids at the river's confluence. Inland, the plateau is deeply carved by drainage systems such as Spanish Hollow and China Hollow, which lead toward the hub of Wasco.

Evidence of early agricultural settlement is visible in the network of wheat-growing country, anchored by small communities like Klondike and Sandon. The map preserves the locations of local landmarks like Sunrise Cemetery and the De Moss Park grounds along the Willamette Base Line. This era represents a period of transition, showing the Pacific Highway alongside traditional river-valley corridors before major mid-century infrastructure altered the river's character.