Historic Oregon Topographic Maps, 1898-1993

Collection Overview

Title: Historic Oregon Topographic Maps, 1898-1993

Predominant Dates: 1945-1975

ID: MAPS ORTopos

Primary Creator: Geological Survey (U.S.)

Extent: 10.5 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Historic Oregon Topographic Maps are arranged in six series: I. Willamette Valley and Vicinity Topographic Maps, 1908-1922; II. 1:62,500 (15 min) Quadrangles, 1906-1972; III. 1:24,000 (7.5 min) Quadrangles, 1949-1993; IV. 1:250,000 Maps, 1948-1976; V. Other Scales, 1898-1951; and VI. Indexes, 1972-1989.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

Scope and Content Notes

The Historic Oregon Topographic Maps consist of superceded or obsolete topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey. The maps cover all of Oregon as well as small portions of the bordering states of California, Idaho, and Washington. The bulk of the collection consists of 1:24,000 (7.5 min) quadrangle maps that were issued predominantly in the 1950s through 1970s and 1:62,500 (15 min) quadrangle maps which date from 1906 to the early 1970s. The maps depict topography; vegetation cover; rivers and lakes; roads, railroads, and other transportation; political boundaries; and the boundaries of national forests and parks.

Of special note are topographic maps of the Willamette Valley and vicinity that were prepared in the 1900s-1910s; these depict the southern and central Willamette Valley from Springfield and Eugene to Albany. They are available online in the Oregon Maps Digital Collection.

The earliest maps in the collection are 1:125,000 (30 min) sheets published as early as 1898. The 1:125,000 maps include multiple editions for most sheets that depict changes and developments in Oregon locales from the 1900s through 1940s.

The U.S. Geological Survey provides online access to these maps through The National Map: Historical Topographic Map Collection.

Administrative Information

Accruals: Additions to the collection are expected.

More Extent Information: 2099 maps; 10 oversize boxes and 6 map folders

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: These maps were transferred from the Oregon State University Libraries' Historic Maps Collection to the Special Collections & Archives Research Center in 2012.

Related Materials: Current editions of Oregon topographic maps are part of the Oregon State University Libraries general map collection.

Preferred Citation: Historic Oregon Topographic Maps (MAPS ORTopos), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Processing Information:

We acknowledge that materials in SCARC collections and the language that describes them may be harmful. We are actively working to address our descriptive practices; for more information please see our SCARC Anti-Racist Actions Statement online.

SCARC describes the contents of its collections using the language and terminology of the collections themselves. Since culturally acceptable terminology shifts over time, some of the terms that appear in these materials are currently outdated or offensive.

Historically, “squaw” has been used as a misogynist and racist slur to disparage indigenous American women. Within this historic usage, it has been applied to place names, and scientific or colloquial names for plants. In this collection, the term "squaw" is used in the context of the Squaw Butte Experiment Station. This station is now known as the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center.

In order to provide historical context and to enable standardized searching and access across our collections, we have retained the use of this phrase in the collection description. We acknowledge the racism represented by this language and the harm it may cause our users. Providing access to these historical materials does not endorse any attitudes or behavior depicted therein. For more information on impacted collections, see the blog post.

[Date of Acknowledgement: December 2023]

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Willamette Valley and Vicinity Topographic Maps, 1908-1922

Series I consists of topographic maps prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in conjunction with the State of Oregon [State Engineers John H. Lewis (for 1908-1916 maps) and Percy A. Cupper (for 1922 map)] based on surveying done from about 1908 to 1914 at a scale of 1:31,680.

Extent: 26 sheets

Folder 11: Willamette Valley Topographic Maps, 1908-1916: This set of topographic maps of the central Willamette Valley was published as 9 sheets. The maps extend from just south of Springfield and Eugene to the southern boundary of Albany. Two copies are available of all the sheets; the collection includes 3 copies of sheet 4 and 4 copies of sheet 7 (which includes the Corvallis area). These maps are housed in one map folder and some of the items are encapsulated. All of the maps are available online: Sheet 1; Sheet 2; Sheet 3; Sheet 4; Sheet 5; Sheet 6; Sheet 7; Sheet 8; and Sheet 9.; Extent: 21 sheets
Box-Folder 5.1: Central Willamette Valley Topographic Maps, 1911-1922: These maps includes sheets for Airlie (1922), Oakville (1913), Philomath (1913), Tangent (1911), and Wells (1913).; Extent: 5 sheets

Series 2: 1:62,500 (15 min) Quadrangles, 1906-1972

Series II consists of superceded 15 minute quadrangle maps at a scale of 1:62,500. Most were issued in the 1940s and 1950s. Some of the older sheets are encapsulated. The maps are arranged alphabetically by quadrangle name.

Extent: 582 sheets

Box-Folder 1.1: Abbott Butte - AnLauf
Box-Folder 1.2: Antelope - Battle Ax
Box-Folder 1.3: Beatty - Blaine
Box-Folder 1.4: Blue River - Butte Falls
Box-Folder 1.5: Calamity - Cascadia
Box-Folder 1.6: Cathlamet - Coos Bay
Box-Folder 1.7: Copperfield - Delintment
Box-Folder 2.1: Desolation Butte - Enright
Box-Folder 2.2: Enterprise - Fuego Mountain
Box-Folder 2.3: Gales Creek - Halsey
Box-Folder 2.4: Happy Camp - Keasy
Box-Folder 2.5: Kernan Point - Mace Mountain
Box-Folder 3.1: Mary's Peak - Monroe
Box-Folder 3.2: Monument - Oregon Caves
Box-Folder 3.3: Oregon City - Portland
Box-Folder 3.4: Preston - Rustler Peak
Box-Folder 4.1: Saddle Mountain - Spray
Box-Folder 4.2: Stayton - Talent
Box-Folder 4.3: The Dalles - Tyee
Box-Folder 4.4: Valsetz - Yaquina
Folder-Item 12.1: Crater Lake National Park and Vicinity, 1956: Extent: 1 sheet

Series 3: 1:24,000 (7.5 min) Quadrangles, 1949-1993

Series III comprises more than half the maps in this collection and consists of superceded 7.5 minute quadrangle maps at a scale of 1:24,000. This series includes some orthophotographs. Some of the maps are provisional editions; others are photo revised. Most of the maps were issued in the 1950s through 1970s. The maps are arranged alphabetically by quadrangle name.

Extent: 1299 sheets

Box-Folder 6.2: Abbott Butte - Badger Lake
Box-Folder 6.3: Bagby Hot Springs - Bone Springs
Box-Folder 6.4: Basley Butte - Canby
Box-Folder 6.5: Candle Creek - Coffin Mountain
Box-Folder 7.1: Colgan Butte - Culver
Box-Folder 7.2: Dale - Double Mountain
Box-Folder 7.3: Drake Butte - Estacada
Box-Folder 7.4: Eugene - Fuzztail Butte
Box-Folder 8.1: Gales Creek - Harter Mountain
Box-Folder 8.2: Hart Lake - Iron Mountain
Box-Folder 8.3: Irrigon - Lakeview
Box-Folder 8.4: Landing Creek - Mazama
Box-Folder 9.1: Mount Burno - Parkdale
Box-Folder 9.2: McCain - Mount Ashland
Box-Folder 9.3: Parsnip Peak - Rabbit Valley
Box-Folder 9.4: Ragsdale Butte - Sandhill Crossing
Box-Folder 10.1: Sandy - Silverton
Box-Folder 10.2: Silvies - Sugarpine Mountain
Box-Folder 10.3: Suplee - Three Lynx
Box-Folder 10.4: Tucker Hill - York Butte
Folder-Item 12.2: Squaw Butte Ranch (Harney County), 1936: Extent: 1 sheet

Series 4: 1:250,000 Maps, 1948-1976

Series IV consists of 1:250,000 scale maps that cover large areas of the state. Some of the maps have shaded relief; others show vegetation cover. In addition to topography, the maps depict roads, towns and cities, vegetation, political boundaries, lakes, and rivers. The maps are arranged by the map number.

Extent: 77 sheets

Folder-Item 13.1: Roseburg, 1957-1966: Extent: 2 sheets
Folder-Item 13.2: Crescent, 1955-1970: Extent: 4 sheets
Folder-Item 13.3: Medford, 1956-1976: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 13.4: Klamath Falls, 1955-1970: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 13.5: Weed, 1957
Folder-Item 13.6: Alturas, 1954-1962: Extent: 2 sheets
Folder-Item 13.7: Burns, 1955-1970: Extent: 4 sheets
Folder-Item 13.8: Boise, 1955-1962: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 13.9: Adel, 1955-1970: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 13.10: Jordan Valley, 1955-1970: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 13.11: Vya, 1954-1961: Extent: 2 sheets
Folder-Item 13.12: McDermitt, 1955-1962: Extent: 2 sheets
Folder-Item 14.1: Hoquiam, 1949-1974: Extent: 5 sheets
Folder-Item 14.2: Vancouver, 1948-1974: Extent: 5 sheets
Folder-Item 14.3: The Dalles, 1953-1971: Extent: 4 sheets
Folder-Item 14.4: Salem, 1949-1977: Extent: 5 sheets
Folder-Item 14.5: Bend, 1955-1971: Extent: 4 sheets
Folder-Item 14.6: Walla Walla, 1953-1963: Extent: 2 sheets
Folder-Item 14.7: Pendleton, 1954-1973: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 14.8: Grangeville, 1956-1963: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 14.9: Canyon City, 1956-1970: Extent: 4 sheets
Folder-Item 14.10: Baker, 1963-1974: Extent: 2 sheets
Folder-Item 15.1: Coos Bay, 1950-1973: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 15.2: Eureka, 1948-1966: Extent: 3 sheets
Folder-Item 15.3: Adel and Burns, 1955: Sheets published separately for Adel and Burns are taped together into one sheet.
Folder-Item 15.4: Copalis Beach, 1949

Series 5: Other Scales, 1898-1951

Series V consists primarily of 1:125,000 (30 min) maps; it also includes 1:48,000; 1:96,000; and 1:250,000 maps. The 1:250,000 maps significantly predate the 1:250,000 maps in Series IV. Many of the sheets in this series have been encapsulated. The maps are arranged by scale and thereunder alphabetically by quadrangle name.

Extent: 107 sheets

Box-Folder 6.1: 1:48,000 and 1:96,000, 1919-1925

Item 1: Earl Advance Sheet, 1919: 1:48,0000
Item 2: McMinnville Advance Sheet, 1924: 1:48,0000
Item 3: Picture Gorge Advance Sheet, 1925: 1:48,0000
Item 4: Twickenham Advance Sheet, 1924: 1:96,0000

Box-Folder 5.2: 1:250,000 Maps, 1910-1921

Item 1: Ashland, 1910-1917: 1893 edition reprinted in 1910 and 1917.; Extent: 2 sheets
Item 2: Klamath, 1910-1921: 1894 edition reprinted in 1910 and 1921.; Extent: 2 sheets

Box-Folder 5.3: 1:125,000 Maps (30 min), 1898-1948

Extent: 19 sheets

Item 1: Arlington, Ore.-Wash., 1916-1948: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 2: Baker and Baker City, 1901-1948: Extent: 4 sheets
Item 3: Bend, 1929-1948: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 4: Birch Creek, 1919
Item 5: Chemult, 1935-1941: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 6: Condon, 1916-1948: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 7: Coos Bay, 1898-1937: Extent: 4 sheets

Box-Folder 5.4: 1:125,000 Maps (30 min), 1908-1950

Extent: 14 sheets

Item 1: Dayville, 1932-1936: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 2: Diamond Lake, 1917-1948: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 3: Dufur, 1930-1945: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 4: Estacada, 1916-1938: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 5: Goldendale, 1919
Item 6: Grants Pass, 1908-1946: Extent: 3 sheets

Box-Folder 5.5: 1:125,000 Maps (30 min), 1903-1950

Extent: 36 sheets

Item 1: Hood River, 1929-1950: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 2: Ironside Mountain, 1908-1947: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 3: Kerby, 1918-1937: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 4: Lowell, 1942-1948: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 5: Madras, 1928-1947: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 6: Mount Hood, 1911-1944: Some sheets have title Mount Hood and Vicinity.; Extent: 6 sheets
Item 7: Mt. Jefferson, 1927-1948: Extent: 5 sheets
Item 8: Nampa, 1916-1948: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 9: Newberry Crater, 1931-1948: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 10: Pendleton, 1935-1948: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 11: Pine, 1915-1941: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 12: Port Orford, 1903-1934: Extent: 4 sheets

Box-Folder 5.6: 1:125,000 Maps (30 min), 1900-1951

Extent: 30 sheets

Item 1: Preston Peak, 1922-1951: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 2: Riddle or Riddles, 1904-1948: Extent: 4 sheets
Item 3: Roseburg, 1900-1942: Extent: 4 sheets
Item 4: Sumpter, 1901-1939: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 5: Telocaset, 1906-1948: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 6: The Dalles, 1934-1950: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 7: Three Sisters, 1929-1948: Extent: 4 sheets
Item 8: Umatilla, 1908-1948: Extent: 3 sheets
Item 9: Waldo Lake, 1925-1950: Extent: 2 sheets
Item 10: Weiser, 1908-1948: Extent: 3 sheets

Series 6: Indexes, 1972-1989

Series VI consists of indexes to published topographic maps of Oregon, primarily 1:24,000 (7.5 min) and 1:62,500 (15 min) quadrangles. Many of the indexes are annotated with updates or additional information. The indexes are housed in one map-folder.

Extent: 8 sheets

Folder 16

Historic Oregon Topographic Maps, 1898-1993

Collection Overview

Abstract

Scope and Content Notes

Administrative Information

Creators

People, Places, and Topics

Forms of Material

Box and Folder Listing