1953 Map of Yakima East

About this map

The Yakima River carves a path through the center of this landscape, separating the high desert terrain of the Yakima Firing Center Military Reservation from the growing residential and agricultural centers to the south. In the early 1950s, the region shows a distinct shift from the rugged ridges of Umtanum Ridge and Elephant Mountain toward the irrigated valley floor. Here, the Northern Pacific RR and Pacific Highway anchor settlements like Union Gap and East Selah. The map documents a sophisticated water management system necessary for the area's development, including the Moxee Canal and Wapato Canal. Local community life is evidenced by clustered institutions such as Holy Rosary Sch in Moxee City and the Pioneer Cem, providing a detailed look at the social geography of the valley during the post-war era.