[or-roots] Historical maps

[Ray Powell]

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking on this list for a few years and have made a comment or 
two when people have asked questions about old 'placenames' and where they 
were located. The longtime researchers on this list have probably already 
seen it but I just came across a book called "Maps of Historical Oregon" by 
R. N. Preston printed in 1972. Western Guide Publishers of Corvallis, OR 
were the publishers. Mr Preston seems to have done a number of these books 
for the Northwest as I found other books on Washington and Idaho.

It might just be that I am fascinated with maps (always have been, always 
will be) but I find this a very interesting publication. There are the 
following maps:

Oregon 1804 - Very little is shown because this was apparently drawn and 
used at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Oregon 1838 - The origin of this early map is unknow; however, it shows the 
original spelling of many places, some long since forgotten.

Willamette Valley 1851 - Some interesting names appear on this map in the 
Willamette Valley. Some are just interesting spelling variations and some 
are names of places that were changed to something totally different.

Oregon 1859 - Very interesting as it was made just as Oregon was a newly 
formed state.

Oregon 1863 -

Indian Battlegrounds 1863 - 1865

Military Roads

Oregon 1871

Oregon 1876

Oregon 1878

Oregon 1878

Oregon 1881

Oregon 1887

Union Pacific Overland Route Map 1890

Oregon 1900

Oregon 1913

Oregon 1921

Oregon Country and Counties

Oregon Military Camps and Forts 1851 - 1880

The 1878 map has a clear overlay that has makes it possible to compare 
modern Oregon with Oregon of 1878. While the print on the maps tend to be 
small (I find a magnifier to be immensely helpful) there is a lot of info to 
be found.

The Corvallis Benton Public Library has a copy in the Reference section of 
the library. My copy is a privately owned one that I have borrowed for two 
or three weeks. Anyone who is interested in locating places on a map would 
do well to take a close look at this publication.

Ray Powell

s.o. Clarence, s.o. Calvin Russell, s.o. Russell Bartholomew, s.o. Calvin 
II, s.o. Calvin I, s.o. of Rowland Powell of MA