Tip: Use the Terrain View on Google Maps

My great grandparents George Hartley and Minnie Nosler lived near Riverton, Coos, Oregon in the 1910 Census.  Looking up the location in Google Maps in Map View gives this image.  Notice there is a muted topographical aspect.

Switching to the Google Map Satellite View gives a better idea of the area, particularly giving some additional form to the river snaking around the higher ground.

The Terrain View in Google Maps (note: for some reason I can't switch directly from Satellite View to Terrain View, I have to switch back to Map View and THEN Terrain View).

I already knew that Google Earth had a terrain view, but I use Google Maps more often and had overlooked the Terrain View (as opposed to Map View or Satellite View, which are readily available as options when you first search in Google Maps).

The default is the Map View, and the Satellive View option is readily available at the lower left side of the map.

This is a very handy and quick way to check out the terrain for most places in the United States, particularly in rural areas not flooded for dam purposes.  Most rural areas have retained their form that they had when first settled.

To get to the Terrain View, you go the left pane with the left-pointing doubble arrows, and Terrain View (as well as other options) becomes visible.

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