1944 Map of Yelm

About this map

The Nisqually River and Deschutes River anchor this mid-century look at the prairies and timbered ridges of Thurston and Pierce Counties. During this era of active military and industrial expansion, the Centralia Power Plant and the sprawling Fort Lewis Military Reservation dominate the northern landscape, while the Yelm Canal carves through the terrain near Yelm. The rail network is particularly dense here, featuring the Northern Pacific and the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific lines connecting agricultural hubs like Rainier and McKenna.