1953 Map of Wymer

About this map

The Yakima River carves a deep, winding canyon through the high ridges of Kittitas County, dictating the development of the river-and-rail corridor during the mid-20th century. Along the narrow riverbanks, small settlements such as Umtanum, Wymer, and Roza follow the path of the Northern Pacific railroad, which provided the primary means of transit through this steep terrain. The landscape is defined by massive formations like Manastash Ridge and Umtanum Ridge, separated by deep cuts like McPherson Canyon. Evidence of early resource extraction is visible at an Abandoned Mine west of the river, while the local ranching or survey history is reflected in specific water sources such as Tendollar Spring and Windy Spring. Infrastructure of the era is remarkably specific, including a Gaging Sta for monitoring river flow and an Aerial Cable crossing the river near Umtanum.