1954 Map of Afognak B-4

About this map

Shelikof Strait dominates this 1954 maritime survey, which charts the rugged northwestern coast of Afognak Island during a period of transition in the Alaska Territory. The map highlights the intersection of land and sea where the Chugach National Forest meets the deep waters of the Gulf of Alaska. A solitary Cabin at Cape Paramanof suggests the seasonal presence of trappers, fishermen, or surveyors in an otherwise unpopulated landscape. The intricate topography around Paramanof Bay and Malina Bay reveals a coastline of steep slopes and high peaks, where terrestrial life is largely confined to the narrow fringes of the shore. Compiled from USC&GS hydrographic charts and 1952 aerial photography, this sheet provides a detailed look at the island's natural harbors and rocky headlands such as Tanaak Cape before the statehood era changed the region's administrative landscape.