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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)
1909-1975 (bulk)
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The Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest consist of historic and superseded maps depicting forest resources, geology, public lands and land use, hydroelectric projects, highways, and railroads in Washington and the Pacific Northwest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
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Content Description

The Maps of Washington (State) and the Pacific Northwest consist of historic and superseded maps depicting forest resources, geology, public lands and land use, hydroelectric projects, highways, and railroads in Washington and the Pacific Northwest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.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

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

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Administrative Information

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).

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Series I: Forestry Maps, 1898-1975

    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.

    • Description: Forest Protection Districts for the State of Washington

      Prepared by State of Washington Division of Forestry.

      Dates: 1950
      Container: Map folder 1
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1936
      Container: Map folder 7
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1898
      Container: Map folder 7
    • Description: Land Cover of Puget Sound, Washington from Landsat Digital Data

      Scale 1:250,000.

      Dates: 1975
      Container: Map folder 1
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1949
      Container: Map folder 1
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1900
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Land Classification and Density of Standing Timber for Seattle and Tacoma Quadrangles
      2 maps

      Color photocopies; scale 1:125,000.

      Dates: 1899
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Land Classification of Mount Rainier Forest Reserve

      Color photocopy; 1:250,000 scale.

      Dates: 1899
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1899
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Locations and Extent of Forest Reserves and National Parks in the Western United States

      Color photocopy.

      Dates: 1899
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1946
      Container: Box 2
  • Series II: Public Lands Maps, 1915-1986

    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.

  • Series III: Geologic Maps, 1936-1994

    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.

    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1936
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: Geologic Map of Washington

      Published by the State of Washington Division of Mines and Geology. Scale 1:500,000.

      Dates: 1961
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: Geologic Map of Washington

      Compiled by A.E. Weissenborn of the U.S. Geological Survey. Scale 1:2,000,000.

      Dates: 1969
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: Geologic Map Index of Washington

      Compiled by Leona Boardman; published by U.S. Geological Survey. Scale 1:750,000.

      Dates: 1949
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1934
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: Soil Map of the Pacific Northwest
      2 sheets

      Includes Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; from Atlas of American Agriculture.

      Dates: undated
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: undated
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: Geologic Environment Map of Alumina Resources of the Columbia Basin

      By E.G. Sohn.

      Dates: 1952
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1970
      Container: Map folder 3
    • Description: Earthquakes in Washington and Oregon 1872-1993

      By Susan K. Goter. Published as USGS Open File Report 94-226A.

      Dates: 1994
      Container: Map folder 3
  • Series IV: Hydroelectric and Power Maps, 1948-1983

    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.

  • Series V: Superseded Topographic Maps, 1909-1965

    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.

  • Series VI: State of Washington Maps, 1909-1962

    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.

    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1909-1924
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1924-1925
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: Highways, State of Washington

      Prepared by State of Washington Department of Highways. Scale 1 inch = 10 miles. Includes travel information.

      Dates: 1937
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: Washington base map

      Prepared by U.S. Geological Survey; this copy is a reprint made in 1944. Scale 1:1,000,000.

      Dates: 1918
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: State of Washington base map with highways and contours
      2 maps

      Produced by U.S. Geological Survey; scale 1:500,000.

      Dates: 1962
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1933
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: Industrial Map of the State of Washington

      Prepared by Washington State Secretary of State; a pictorial map with no scale indicated.

      Dates: circa 1949
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: circa 1953
      Container: Map folder 5
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1954
      Container: Box 8
  • Series VII: Pacific Northwest Maps, 1863-1975

    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.

    • Description: 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.

      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1942
      Container: Box 7
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box 8
    • Description: Landforms of the Northwestern States
      6 maps

      By Erwin Raisz; depicts Oregon, Washington, Idaho, western Montana. Includes 1941 and 1965 (3rd revised) edition.

      Dates: 1941-1965
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1911
      Container: Map folder 9
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: circa 1975
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Outline Map of Oregon and Washington Counties
      Dates: undated
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1950
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Activity Centers and Soil Conservation Districts, Pacific Region

      Prepared by U.S. Soil Conservation Service.

      Dates: 1951
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Area Organization and Soil Conservation Districts, Pacific Region

      Prepared by U.S. Soil Conservation Service.

      Dates: 1953
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Seasonal Use of Western Range

      Includes all of the western United States; hand-colored.

      Dates: 1958
      Container: Map folder 7
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: circa 1939
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1940
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Oregon Country

      Pictorial map prepared by the Oregon Historical Society, probably to commemorate the Oregon centennial; no scale.

      Dates: 1959
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Map of the Pacific Highway

      Produced by the National Highways Association; depicts the highway in Washington, Oregon, and California.

      Dates: 1915
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Map of the Oregon Coast and Redwood Highway

      Tourist map and brochure.

      Dates: 1928
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Air View of the Columbia River Scenic Route

      A pictorial relief map published by the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railway Company.

      Dates: 1916
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: A Map by the Gentleman Fur Trader Alexander Ross

      This is a reproduction of the 1849 manuscript map of the Columbia Basin.

      Dates: 1974
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1927
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Mouth of the Columbia River

      This is a reproduction of the original map.

      Dates: 1863
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1903
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: World Aeronautical Chart of the Columbia River Area

      This map includes areas of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

      Dates: 1957
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: World Aeronautical Chart of Crater Lake Area

      This map includes areas of Oregon, California, Idaho, and Nevada.

      Dates: 1960
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Topographic Map of the Cascade Range

      This map includes areas of Washington and Oregon; scale 1:1,000,000.

      Dates: 1951
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Map of the Owyhee River Area

      This map includes areas of Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada; scale 1:1,000,000.

      Dates: 1959
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Map of the Snake River Area

      This map includes areas of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana; scale 1:1,000,000.

      Dates: 1960
      Container: Map folder 6
    • Description: Interim Topographic Map of Mount Baker

      Depicts extent of glaciers on Mt. Baker; scale 1:24,000.

      Dates: 1975
      Container: Map folder 6

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)
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