Loading map...

1950 Map of Wilbur

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Wilbur
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

The Franklin D Roosevelt Lake dominates the northern landscape of this region, representing the transformation of the upper Columbia River following the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. To the north, the Colville Indian Reservation rises beyond the water, accessed by the Keller Ferry which links Lincoln and Ferry counties. The topography is defined by significant elevation changes, from the flooded coulee to the Sand Hills and deep-cut features like Hell Gate Canyon.

South of the lake, the agricultural character of the plateau is evident in the layout of Wilbur and Creston, both served by the Northern Pacific railroad. Smaller rural hubs like Sherman and the Potlatch Grange highlight the social and economic centers for local farm families. The infrastructure of the era is further marked by the Bonneville Power Transmission Lines cutting across the central plains, a testament to the regional energy development that coincided with the creation of the Coulee Dam National Recreational Area.