1950 Map of Dog Keys Pass

About this map

Dog Keys Pass serves as a critical maritime gateway in the mid-20th century, separating the eastern tip of Ship Island from the western reach of Horn Island. This hydrographic study, based on 1950 aerial photography and planetable surveys, documents the shifting coastal morphology of the Mississippi barrier islands before significant modern erosion and hurricane impacts altered their footprints. The map focuses on the deep-water transition between the Mississippi Sound and the open Gulf of Mexico, marking the maritime boundary between Harrison and Jackson counties. Notable landmarks like East Point and West Point define the narrow navigable channel. The presence of numerous soundings and depth curves illustrates the underwater topography of the pass, providing essential data for mid-century navigation and coastal research along this unprotected stretch of the Gulf coast.