1952 Map of Karluk

About this map

The remote coastline of Kodiak Island and the Alaska Peninsula meet across the Shelikof Strait in this early 1950s survey. The indigenous and commercial fishing hub of Karluk sits at the mouth of the Karluk Lagoon, a critical point for the region's maritime activity. Across the strait on the mainland, the landscape is defined by the Katmai National Monument and the massive Becharof Lake, which feeds the Kejulik River. This map documents a period of strategic and ecological management, highlighting the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Station and a Seaplane Base on the island's southern reach. The rugged shoreline is punctuated by numerous landmarks essential for navigation, such as Middle Cape and Tombstone Rocks, while interior features like Dog Salmon Flats suggest the seasonal rhythms of the local ecosystem.