Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest

Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest, 1863-1994

Overview of the Collection

Title: Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest
Dates: 1863-1994 (inclusive)
18631994

1909-1975 (bulk)
19091975
Quantity: 3.5 cubic feet, including 158 maps, (6 map folders, 2 roll storage containers, and 1 oversize box)
Collection Number: MAPS PNW
Summary: The Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest consist of historic and superseded maps depicting forest resources, geology, public lands and land use, hydroelectric projects, highways, and railroads in Washington and the Pacific Northwest region. The regional maps include Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and, in some cases, California and Wyoming.
Repository: Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: English

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest consist of historic and superseded maps depicting forest resources, geology, public lands and land use, hydroelectric projects, highways, and railroads in Washington and the Pacific Northwest region. Most of the maps in the collection are of all or part of the State of Washington. Regional maps depict Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and, in some cases, California and Wyoming. The maps were created by various U.S. government agencies, State of Washington departments, and private organizations.

The collection includes maps created over a 150-year period from the mid-19th century through the 1990s, with the bulk of the maps documenting the early 20th century. Hand-drawn manuscript maps created by early explorers and surveyors as well as maps created from satellite imagery are part of the collection. Regional maps as well as detailed, local maps are available.

Maps of national forests and national parks, primarily in Washington, are included in the collection. These include several maps of Mount Rainier and other Cascade peaks, many of which depict the extent of mountain glaciers.

Of special note are maps of hydroelectric projects in the Columbia River Basin. These provide information on dams, reservoirs, irrigation projects, and power transmission. The maps include government publications on projects' status, local newspaper documents, and maps depicting power plant location and the distribution and transmission of electricity.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest (MAPS PNW), Oregon State University Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest are arranged into 7 series: I. Forestry Maps, 1898-1975; II. Public Land Maps, 1915-1986; III. Geologic Maps, 1936-1994; IV. Hydroelectric and Power Maps, 1948-1983; V. Superseded Topographic Maps, 1909-1965; VI. State of Washington Maps, 1909-1962; and VII. Pacific Northwest Maps, 1863-1975.

Acquisition Information

These materials were transferred from the Oregon State University Libraries' maps collection to the Special Collections & Archives Research Center in 2014.

Related Materials

Additional forestry maps for Oregon are available in several collections, including the Bureau of Land Management Maps of Oregon (MAPS BLM), Forest Type Maps of Oregon (MAPS ForestType), National Forests in Oregon Maps (MAPS USFS), Oregon Department of Forestry Maps (MAPS ODF), and Donald B. Zobel Collection of Historic Forestry and Vegetation Maps (MAPS ZobelMaps).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Forestry Maps, 1898-1975Return to Top

25 maps

Series I consists of maps depicting forest lands, primarily in Washington, prepared by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, or State of Washington Division of Forestry. The maps provide information on land classification and forest types, including timber age, quality, and volume. The series includes several original maps prepared in 1898-1900 as well as photocopies of maps from that period. Maps depicting the site potential for western Washington and Oregon are also included.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
map-folder
1	Forest Protection Districts for the State of Washington Prepared by State of Washington Division of Forestry.	1950
7	Forest Type Map of Washington 9 sheets The color map is published on 4 sheets with one sheet for each quadrant of the state (northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast). Two full sets plus a third copy of the southwest quadrant are included. Prepared by staff of the Pacific Northwest Forest Experiment Station. Depicts non-forest lands, non-commercial forest types, and timberland types. Approximate scale of 1:250,000.	1936
7	Map of Washington Showing Classification of Lands Color map shows cut areas, timberless areas, burned areas, and six ranges of estimated board feet per acre. Prepared by George H. Plummer, F.G. Plummer, and J.H. Rankine and published with the U.S. Geological Survey Annual Report, Part V. Approximate scale 1:405,000.	1898
1	Land Cover of Puget Sound, Washington from Landsat Digital Data Scale 1:250,000.	1975
1	Washington, General Classification of Land According to its Capability for Use Scale 1:750,000. Color map depicts 4 classes of land suitable for cultivation and 4 classes not suitable for cultivation that may be appropriate for grazing or forest. The map also shows several zones with similar conservation problems. Prepared by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service; issued to accompany Washington State College Institute of Agricultural Sciences Popular Bulletin no. 200.	1949
Box
2	Land Classification of Seattle and Tacoma Quadrangles 2 maps Color maps show areas of virgin timber and merchantable forests. Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey; scale 1:125,000.	1900
2	Land Classification and Density of Standing Timber for Seattle and Tacoma Quadrangles 2 maps Color photocopies; scale 1:125,000.	1899
2	Land Classification of Mount Rainier Forest Reserve Color photocopy; 1:250,000 scale.	1899
2	Olympic Forest Reserve 3 maps One map depicts land classification; a second shows cedar proportions; and a third shows red fir proportions. Color photocopies at 1:250,000 scale.	1899
2	Locations and Extent of Forest Reserves and National Parks in the Western United States Color photocopy.	1899
2	Forest Types of the Douglas-fir region for western Washington and Oregon 4 maps One sheet each for northwestern and southwestern Oregon and Washington. The maps show areas of "saw timber", second growth, recent cut-overs, and nonforest land. Scale of 1 inch = approximately 20 miles.	undated
2	Site Maps of Douglas fir regions for Western Washington and Oregon 3 maps Scale 1 inch = 20 miles; one copy of Oregon map and two copies of the Washington map. These maps accompany Better Douglas Fir Forests from Better Seed, by Leo A. Isaac and are available online.	1946

Series II: Public Lands Maps, 1915-1986Return to Top

29 maps

Series II consists of maps depicting public lands, primarily in Washington. Most of the maps depict National Forests and National Parks and provide information on recreational areas, roads, and trails. Maps of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington and California depict trail lengths, proposed routes, and scenic and historical points along the trail. Of special note are several maps of Mount Rainier and plans and profiles of the Nisqually Glacier as well as maps of the Mount St. Helens area before the catastrophic May 1980 eruption. The maps were prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
map-folder
1	Washington's Major Public Lands Prepared by State of Washington Department of Natural Resources; includes brochure text. Approximate scale 1 inch = 10 miles.	1973
	National Forests The maps for individual national forests include text and photos for visitors.	1936-1973
map-folder
1	Region 1 Depicts national forests in Idaho, Montana and eastern Washington and Oregon. Approximate scale of 1 inch = 20 miles.	1936
1	Colville Scale 1 inch = 2 miles.	1973
1	Gifford Pinchot Approximate scale 1 inch = 4 miles.	1965
1	Okanogan Approximate scale 1 inch = 4 miles.	1960
1	Olympic Approximate scale 1 inch = 4 miles.	1949
1	Snoqualmie 3 sheets Approximate scale 1 inch = 2 miles.	1963-1965
1	Wenatchee 2 sheets Approximate scale 1 inch = 2 miles.	1962
	National Parks	1915-1986
map-folder
1	Lava Beds National Monument and Vicinity Includes descriptive text.	1936
1	Olympic National Park Shaded relief map; 1:125,000 scale.	1957
1	Mount Rainier 7 sheets Includes several topographic maps of the park as well as plans of the Nisqually Glacier made in 1951, 1955, and 1966 and longitudinal profiles made in 1966. Shaded relief maps of Mount Rainier are also included. Topographic maps show the extent of glaciers on Mount Rainier.	1915-1966
1	Mount St. Helens 5 sheets Most of the maps depict the area before the catastrophic May 1980 eruption; one 1986 visitor map for the monument is included.	1968-1986
	Pacific Crest Scenic Trail	circa 1960s - 1981
map-folder
1	Map of entire Pacific Crest Trail	circa 1960s
1	California Pacific Crest Trail Proposed Location	undated
1	California Pacific Crest Trail At a 1: 720,000 scale.	1981
1	Washington Pacific Crest Trail	1974

Series III: Geologic Maps, 1936-1994Return to Top

13 maps

Series III consists of geologic maps, primarily of Washington. A soil map of the Pacific Northwest and a map of earthquakes in Washington and Oregon are also included. The bulk of the maps were produced by the U.S. Geological Survey or the State of Washington. Most of the maps are color and include descriptions of the geologic formations.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
map-folder
3	Preliminary Geologic Map of Washington Published by State of Washington, Department of Conservation and Development, Division of Geology; edited by George W. Stose. Two copies of the map are available.	1936
3	Geologic Map of Washington Published by the State of Washington Division of Mines and Geology. Scale 1:500,000.	1961
3	Geologic Map of Washington Compiled by A.E. Weissenborn of the U.S. Geological Survey. Scale 1:2,000,000.	1969
3	Geologic Map Index of Washington Compiled by Leona Boardman; published by U.S. Geological Survey. Scale 1:750,000.	1949
3	Tentative Correlation of the Named Geologic Units of Washington 2 sheets Compiled by M. Grace Wilmarth, Secretary of Committee on Geologic Names, U.S. Geological Survey.	1934
3	Soil Map of the Pacific Northwest 2 sheets Includes Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; from Atlas of American Agriculture.	undated
3	Areal and Structural Geologic Maps of Washington This map includes four maps on one sheet for different areas of Washington: (A) western and northern margin of the Olympic Peninsula; (B) a belt extending across the Puget Sound Basin into the Cascade Mountains; (C) the Quimper Peninsula; and (D) the Cathcart Cherry Valley region. The maps were prepared by Charles E. Weaver.	undated
3	Geologic Environment Map of Alumina Resources of the Columbia Basin By E.G. Sohn.	1952
3	Tectonic Structure of the Main Part of the Basalt of the Columbia River Group, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho Prepared by R.C. Newcomb and published by the U.S. Geological Survey as map I-587 in the Miscellaneous Geological Investigations series.	1970
3	Earthquakes in Washington and Oregon 1872-1993 By Susan K. Goter. Published as USGS Open File Report 94-226A.	1994

Series IV: Hydroelectric and Power Maps, 1948-1983Return to Top

27 maps

Series IV consists of maps that provide information on proposed and existing hydroelectric projects in the Columbia River Basin. These maps include information on how the projects have affected the Columbia River and its tributaries. The series also includes maps depicting the service area of public and private electrical utilities and transmission of power across the northwest. The maps depict existing dams, proposed dams, and electrical transmission lines as well irrigation projects and canals. The maps of individual dams also include text about the dam and photographs. The maps were prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Federal Power Commission; the Bonneville Power Administration, and the Inland Empire Waterways Association.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
map-folder
4	Comprehensive Development Plan for the Columbia River Basin	1948
4	Multiple Purpose Projects in the Columbia River Basin	1958
4	Columbia Basin Project	1951
4	Columbia River Power System	1948
4	The Mighty Columbia	1971
4	Hydroelectric Projects for the Pacific Northwest	1948
4	Proposed Columbia Basin Development Includes maps and profiles for hydroelectric projects.	1948
4	Columbia River Basin Comprehensive Plan of Major Dams	1948
4	Basin Map for Major Dam and Reservoir Development 3 sheets	1958-1966
4	Bonneville Dam 2 sheets	1965-1966
4	The Dalles Dam 2 sheets	1966-1970
4	John Day Dam 2 sheets	1965-1970
4	McNary Dam 2 sheets	1959-1966
4	Willamette Falls Locks	1970
4	Service Areas: Operating Public Agencies and Co-operations 2 sheets Shows service areas of invester-owned utilities.	1983
4	Electric Power Plants 2 sheets	1963
4	BPA Areas and Transmission Facilities	1959
4	Pacific Northwest Transmission System	1958
4	Principal Electric Facilities - Washington	1948

Series V: Superseded Topographic Maps, 1909-1965Return to Top

19 maps

Series V consists of superseded or obsolete topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey for various locations in Washington. Most of the maps are 15 minute quadrangles (1:62,500 scale). The maps depict topography; vegetation cover; rivers and lakes; roads, railroads, and other transportation; political boundaries; and the boundaries of national forests and parks. Many of these maps are of peaks in the Cascade Range or Olympic Mountains and depict the extent of glaciers in those mountain ranges. Also of note are the Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake sheets which show that area before the catastrophic 1980 volcanic eruption. A 1909 Seattle map is also included in the series. The Portland and Bridal Veil sheets include both Oregon and Washington.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
2	Bridal Veil 2 sheets	1954
2	Camas 2 sheets	1942-1954
2	Chiwaukum Mountains	1965
2	Glacier Peak	1950
2	Kalama 2 sheets	1943
2	Mount Baker 2 sheets These maps are at a 1:125,000 scale.	1915-1942
2	Mount Olympus 2 sheets	1935-1956
2	Mount Shuksan	1953
2	Mount St. Helens 2 sheets	1958
2	Mount Tom	1957
2	Portland	1961
2	Seattle Special	1909
2	Spirit Lake	1957

Series VI: State of Washington Maps, 1909-1962Return to Top

13 maps

Series VI consists of various maps of Washington; most are of the entire state. They include highway maps and base maps as well as maps depicting public lands and irrigated lands. The maps were produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, Census Bureau, and Forest Service as well as the State of Washington.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
map-folder
5	State of Washington, General Land Office 2 sheets Scale 1 inch = 12 miles. Compiled from the official records of the General Land Office; shows U.S. Reclamation Projects; national forests, parks, and game preserves; and Indian and military reserves. 1909 and 1924 editions; 1909 edition is encapsulated.	1909-1924
5	Map of Automobile Roads, State of Washington 2 sheets Prepared by U.S. Forest Service; depict paved, gravel, secondary, and proposed roads; descriptive travel information on verso. Scale 1 inch = 10 miles.	1924-1925
5	Highways, State of Washington Prepared by State of Washington Department of Highways. Scale 1 inch = 10 miles. Includes travel information.	1937
5	Washington base map Prepared by U.S. Geological Survey; this copy is a reprint made in 1944. Scale 1:1,000,000.	1918
5	State of Washington base map with highways and contours 2 maps Produced by U.S. Geological Survey; scale 1:500,000.	1962
5	Base maps for western Washington 2 maps Produced by the U.S. Forest; separate sheets for northwest and southwest quadrants. Scale 1 inch = 4 miles. Indicate state exchange areas.	1933
5	Industrial Map of the State of Washington Prepared by Washington State Secretary of State; a pictorial map with no scale indicated.	circa 1949
5	Washington: Location of Irrigated Lands in 1949 Prepared by U.S. Bureau of the Census. Depicts acreage of irrigated land reported in each county. Scale 1 inch = 10 miles.	circa 1953
Box
8	Cram's Superior Map of Washington Published by George F. Cram Company, edition no. 1517. Scale 1 inch = 9 miles (1:570,240). Depicts county boundaries in color; roads; and cities and towns. Includes an index of cities and towns with populations and inset maps of Washington trunk highways and Congressional districts in Washington.	1954

Series VII: Pacific Northwest Maps, 1863-1975Return to Top

32 maps

Series VII consists of historic maps of the Pacific Northwest region. The maps depict Oregon and Washington or, in some cases, a broader area that includes California or Idaho and Montana. The maps depict railroads, highways, landforms, and land use. Several of the maps depict the Columbia Basin; one map of Puget Sound is also included. Several reproductions of mid-19th century manuscript maps are included.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
map-folder
6	Engineers Official Map of the Pacific Northwest Published by W. Campbell Judge; compiled by W. Elliott Judge. Depicts Oregon, Washington Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming and shows highways and railroads.	circa 1930
Box
7	Physical and Political Pacific Northwest This color map was published for classroom use and depicts political boundaries as well as natural vegetation, annual rainfall, and population distribution for the northwest. The map includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana. Edited by Howard H. Martin, University of Washington, and Otis W. Freeman, Eastern Washington College of Education. Published as part of the Denoyer-Geppert Physical-Political Series. Scale 1:1,200,000.	1942
8	Visual Relief Pacific Northwest Denoyer-Geppert Series Map S165vr. Edited by J. Granville Jenson, Oregon State University; John C. Sherman, University of Washington was the consultant for Washington and Harry H. Caldwell, University of Idaho, for Idaho. Scale 1:665,280; color.	1964
map-folder
6	Landforms of the Northwestern States 6 maps By Erwin Raisz; depicts Oregon, Washington, Idaho, western Montana. Includes 1941 and 1965 (3rd revised) edition.	1941-1965
9	Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Co. Map of the Pacific Northwest Depicts Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company existing and proposed rail lines; river steamboat lines; and other railroads. Carey irrigation projects and Reclamation Act project are also depicted on the map. The map is in poor condition and housed in a roll storage container. Use caution and care in handling the map.	1911
6	A New Map of Texas, Oregon, and California This is a reproduction of the original 1846 map. The reproduction was printed for the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum.	circa 1975
6	Outline Map of Oregon and Washington Counties	undated
6	Map Showing Routes of Snake Country Expeditions - 1824-25 and 1825-26 Drawn by Ralph M. Shane, Warm Springs, Oregon. Depicts the area that now comprise Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. This is a photocopy.	1950
6	Activity Centers and Soil Conservation Districts, Pacific Region Prepared by U.S. Soil Conservation Service.	1951
6	Area Organization and Soil Conservation Districts, Pacific Region Prepared by U.S. Soil Conservation Service.	1953
7	Seasonal Use of Western Range Includes all of the western United States; hand-colored.	1958
6	Range Sheep - Major Seasonal Movements in Intermountain Region 1938-1939 Prepared by U.S. Department of Agriculture Bureau of Agricultural Economics from the records of the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Grazing Service. Color map.	circa 1939
6	A pictorial map of Oregon and Washington, showing agricultural products and industries Prepared by A. Petruccilli and published to accompany March 1940 issue of Fortune Magazine; no scale.	1940
6	Oregon Country Pictorial map prepared by the Oregon Historical Society, probably to commemorate the Oregon centennial; no scale.	1959
6	Map of the Pacific Highway Produced by the National Highways Association; depicts the highway in Washington, Oregon, and California.	1915
6	Map of the Oregon Coast and Redwood Highway Tourist map and brochure.	1928
6	Air View of the Columbia River Scenic Route A pictorial relief map published by the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railway Company.	1916
6	A Map by the Gentleman Fur Trader Alexander Ross This is a reproduction of the 1849 manuscript map of the Columbia Basin.	1974
6	Columbia River Basin and Vicinity This map ranges from British Columbia to California and from the Pacific Coast to Wyoming. Published by Port of Portland Commission.	1927
6	Mouth of the Columbia River This is a reproduction of the original map.	1863
6	New Map of the Puget Sound Country Prepared by Bellingham Bay Abstract and Title Insurance Company. Fifth revised edition; shows the Puget Sound area from Olympia to the Canadian border. This copy is a facsimile color reproduction of the 1903 map.	1903
6	World Aeronautical Chart of the Columbia River Area This map includes areas of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.	1957
6	World Aeronautical Chart of Crater Lake Area This map includes areas of Oregon, California, Idaho, and Nevada.	1960
6	Topographic Map of the Cascade Range This map includes areas of Washington and Oregon; scale 1:1,000,000.	1951
6	Map of the Owyhee River Area This map includes areas of Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada; scale 1:1,000,000.	1959
6	Map of the Snake River Area This map includes areas of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana; scale 1:1,000,000.	1960
6	Interim Topographic Map of Mount Baker Depicts extent of glaciers on Mt. Baker; scale 1:24,000.	1975

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Dams--Oregon.
Dams--Washington (State)
Earthquakes--Oregon--Maps.
Earthquakes--Washington (State)--Maps.
Electric power distribution--Washington (State)
Forests and forestry--Oregon--Maps.
Forests and forestry--Washington (State)--Maps.
Geology--Washington (State)--Maps.
Glaciers--Washington (State)--Maps.
Irrigation--Washington (State)--Maps.
Land use--Washington (State)--Maps.
Landforms--Northwest, Pacific--Maps.
National parks and reserves--Washington (State)
Physical geography--Northwest, Pacific--Maps.
Public lands--Washington (State)--Maps.
Reservoirs--Northwest, Pacific.
Rivers--Oregon--Maps.
Rivers--Washington (State)--Maps.
Soils--Washington (State)--Maps.
Water-power--Northwest, Pacific.

Geographical Names

Bonneville Dam (Or. and Wash.)
Columbia River Watershed--Maps.
Columbia River--Maps.
Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.)--Maps.
Nisqually Glacier (Wash.)--Maps.
Northwest, Pacific--Maps.
Oregon--Maps.
Pacific Crest Trail--Maps.
Saint Helens, Mount (Wash.)
Seattle (Wash.)--Maps.
Washington (State)--Maps.

Form or Genre Terms

Forestry maps.
Geological maps.
Maps.
Pictorial maps.
Topographic maps.

Other Creators

Personal Names
- Judge, W. Elliott (William Elliott) (creator)
- Newcomb, Reuben Clair, 1909-1998. (creator)
- Plummer, Fred G. (Fred Gordon), 1864-1913. (creator)
- Plummer, George H. (creator)
- Raisz, Erwin, 1893-1968. (creator)
- Rankine, J. H. (creator)
- Weaver, Charles E. (Charles Edwin), 1880-1958. (creator)
Corporate Names
- Bonneville Project (U.S.) (creator)
- Geological Survey (U.S.) (creator)
- Inland Empire Waterways Association. (creator)
- Oregon Historical Society. (creator)
- Pacific Northwest Forest Experiment Station (Portland, Or.) (creator)
- United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. (creator)
- United States. Bureau of Agricultural Economics. (creator)
- United States. Bureau of Reclamation. (creator)
- United States. Bureau of the Census. (creator)
- United States. Forest Service. Pacific Northwest Region. (creator)
- United States. General Land Office. (creator)
- United States. Soil Conservation Service. (creator)
- Washington (State). Department of Natural Resources. (creator)
- Washington (State). Division of Forestry. (creator)
- Washington (State). Division of Geology. (creator)
- Washington (State). Division of Mines and Geology. (creator)
- Washington (State). Office of the Secretary of State. (creator)

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents