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1952 Map of Cordova D-8

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Cordova D-8
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The coastal settlement of Tatitlek and the nearby site of Ellamar anchor this 1950s study of the eastern reaches of Prince William Sound. The map reveals a maritime landscape defined by deep-water passages and industrial extraction, most notably the Wagner Mine and Rua Mine situated on the slopes above Boulder Bay. These mines, along with a small cemetery near the shore, indicate the localized human footprint within the larger Chugach National Forest.

Significant navigational landmarks like Bligh Island and the notorious Bligh Reef dominate the central waters of the Valdez Arm. The complex shoreline is etched with numerous inlets such as Galena Bay and Cloudman Bay, while the heights of Ellamar Mountain and Mt Fremantle provide prominent terrestrial bearings. This topographical record captures a specific era of coastal Alaskan history, focusing on the intersection of native villages and mid-century mining operations.