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1943 Map of Cold Bay

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Cold Bay
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Thornbrough Air Force Base stands at the pivot of this coastal landscape, reflecting the strategic military importance of the Alaska Peninsula during the early 1940s. The map documents a rugged interface between the Bering Sea and the North Pacific, defined by dramatic geological features like the Aghileen Pinnacles and Frosty Peak. Traditional settlements and industrial sites are visible along the southern coastline, including the village of Belkofski and a Cannery (Aband) near Reynolds Head.

The presence of the Izembek National Wildlife Range and the Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge underscores the region's role as a protected wilderness, even as wartime infrastructure was established. Researchers can trace the complex maritime geography of Cold Bay, Izembek Lagoon, and King Cove, noting the remote light stations and landing areas that facilitated navigation in these frequently fog-shrouded waters.