1948 Map of Middleton Island

About this map

Middleton Island stands as a solitary sentinel in the northern Gulf of Alaska, its small landmass featuring a prominent Landing field that reflects the strategic maritime and aviation importance of these remote outposts during the late 1940s. To the northeast, the narrow silhouette of Kayak Island reaches toward the Chugach National Forest, anchored by the sharp elevation of Pyramid Peak and the critical maritime landmark at Cape St Elias. The survey meticulously details the treacherous bathymetry of the region, identifying hazards like Sea Ranger Reef, Wessels Reef, and Fountain Rock. This map captures a specific era of coastal navigation and territorial monitoring before the widespread adoption of satellite reconnaissance, relying instead on aerial photography and earlier maritime charts to define these isolated coastal features where the Pacific Ocean meets the Alaskan wilderness.