1949 Map of False Pass

About this map

Unimak Island and the western tip of the Alaska Peninsula meet at the narrow gateway of Isanotski Strait, where the settlement of False Pass serves as a critical maritime link. This 1949 reconnaissance survey, updated with revisions through 1970, illustrates the dramatic volcanic topography of the Eastern Aleutians, dominated by the massive heights of Shishaldin Volcano and Isanotski Peaks. To the south, Sanak Island and its surrounding archipelago rise from the Pacific Ocean, anchored by the small settlement of Sanak and protected harbors like Pavlof Harbor. The map reveals a landscape defined by its coastal features, from the deep waters of Ikatan Bay to the treacherous stretches of the Sandman Reefs, providing a detailed view of these remote fishing and navigation grounds during the mid-20th century.