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1957 Map of Orcas Island

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Orcas Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Moran State Park dominates the high ground of Orcas Island in this late-1950s record, rising to the summit of Mount Constitution. The island's geography is defined by the deep inlet of East Sound, which nearly bisects the landmass and serves as a focal point for settlements like Rosario and the village of East Sound. The map reveals a landscape of isolated schools and lodges, including Griswold Sch on Shaw Island and Buckhorn Lodge on the northern shore, reflecting the region's mid-century character as a mix of rural homesteads and early recreational retreats.

Nautical features such as Wasp Passage and Upright Channel highlight the maritime dependency of communities like Deer Harbor and Doe Bay before modern infrastructure fully unified the archipelago. Smaller islands like Sucia Island and Patos Island are documented with their specific points and bluffs, including Lawson Bluff and Toe Point, providing a precise view of the San Juan islands as they appeared during this period of coastal revision.