1958 Map of Yakima

About this map

Yakima and its surrounding valleys are defined by the convergence of the Naches River and Yakima River, serving as a hub for the irrigation-based agriculture of Central Washington in the late 1950s. The landscape transitions sharply from the volcanic peaks of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams in the west to the ridges of the Yakima Indian Reservation. A complex rail network including the Northern Pacific RR and the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul & Pacific RR illustrates the region's importance as a shipping corridor for the orchards of Selah, Gleed, and Wiley City. Extensive ridges such as Ahtanum Ridge and Toppenish Ridge frame the basin, while historical sites like Fort Simcoe Historical State Park and the Yakima Indian Agency School provide deep cultural context. The map also records essential infrastructure like the Yakima Airport and various pumping stations critical to the valley's water management system.