1952 Map of Kodiak B-5

About this map

Kodiak Island is characterized by its dramatic topographic relief and intricate network of glacial valleys and mountain ridges. The entire land area shown on this sheet is contained within the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which was established to protect the habitat of the Kodiak brown bear. The map illustrates a primitive and unpopulated landscape, devoid of roads or trails, as it appeared in the early 1950s. The heavy contour lines reveal deep alpine cirques and steep-walled valleys that drain toward the coast, though the coastline itself remains just out of view. This survey was conducted before significant modern infrastructure reached these interior portions of the refuge, providing a clear record of the terrain as seen by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey during their mid-century mapping efforts.