1895 Map of Passage Island

About this map

Passage Island and the northeastern tip of Isle Royale anchor this 1895 nautical and topographic study of the Keweenaw waters. The map focuses on the complex archipelago and sheltered inlets of eastern Lake Superior, specifically tracing the long, narrow basins of Rock Harbor, Tobin Harbor, and Duncan Bay. Topography compiled by L.C. Fletcher and the U.S. Lake Survey details the series of parallel ridges and rocky headlands, such as Blake Pt. and Scoville Pt., that characterize this volcanic landscape. While largely maritime in nature, the map identifies specific hazards and navigational landmarks including Canoe Rocks and the outlying Gull Islands, reflecting the era's reliance on precise coastal charts for safe passage through these northern waters.