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1956 Map of Destruction Island

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Destruction Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Hoh Indian Reservation and the Queets Indian Reservation anchor this mid-century survey of the Washington coast, where the rainforest meets the Pacific. The landscape is defined by the powerful convergence of the Hoh River, Clearwater River, and Quinault River as they reach the sea. This 1956 survey records a period when coastal access was maintained via a series of numbered trails, including Beach Trail 1 and Beach Trail 5, during the early expansion of Olympic National Park.

Maritime history is centered on Destruction Island, featuring its prominent Lighthouse and nearby hazards like South Rock and Kalaloch Rocks. Inland, the map documents small settlements and essential community hubs like Queets, the Queets-Clearwater School, and the Kalaloch Ranger Station. Numerous rapids such as Skookumchuck Rapids and Preacher Rapids indicate the challenging river navigation of the era.