1955 Map of Bradfield canal B-6

About this map

Tongass National Forest dominates this mid-century survey of the Alaska panhandle, revealing a complex network of glacial valleys and saltwater passages. The map centers on the steep drainage basins of Aaron Creek and the Harding River, illustrating the rugged coastal interior just east of Wrangell Island. Navigation and access are defined by Blake Channel, where landforms like Capel Pt mark the transition from maritime waters to the mountainous mainland. Inland, a series of isolated freshwater bodies including Marten Lake, Upper Marten Lake, and Tom Lake are tucked into high-elevation basins, fed by the melting ice of Nelson Glacier and numerous unnamed snowfields. This 1950s record provides a clear view of the natural hydrology and topography before any significant modernization or infrastructure altered the wilderness character of the region.