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1943 Map of Fort Randall

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Fort Randall
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Fort Randall and the adjacent Thornbrough Air Force Base occupy a strategic position on the edge of Cold Bay, reflecting the heightened military focus on the Alaska Peninsula during the mid-twentieth century. This survey, based on aerial photography from 1942 and 1943, documents a landscape where industry and geography converge at the edge of the Bering Sea. The map details coastal settlements such as King Cove and Belkofski, alongside evidence of earlier commercial activity like the Abandoned Cannery near Morzhovoi Bay.

The dramatic terrain is defined by volcanic landmarks, including Frosty Peak, the serrated Aghileen Pinnacles, and Mt Emmons. Waterways and lagoons, such as Kinzarof Lagoon and Izembek Bay, break up the coastline, providing critical maritime context for the period's aviation and fishing infrastructure. From the isolated Sealion Rocks Light to the sheltered Kitchen Anchorage, the map captures a pivotal era of northern defense and resource extraction.