1955 Map of Bradfield canal A-4

About this map

Burroughs Bay dominates this mid-century survey of the southeastern Alaskan coast, where several major river systems converge in the Tongass National Forest. Settlement in this era was concentrated at the head of the bay, evidenced by the Bishop Ranch and Matney Ranch situated near the mouth of the Unuk River. The map shows a landscape defined by water and steep relief, with the Kulakon River and Klahini River feeding into the coastal waters near Willow Islands. Navigational markers and triangulation stations like VABM 13 Dick and VABM 11 Oak are scattered along the shoreline, reflecting the importance of maritime and aerial surveying in this roadless region during the 1950s. The presence of isolated cabins along Grant Creek and the bay suggests a seasonal or subsistence-based presence far from established towns.