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1949 Map of Petersburg B-4

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Petersburg B-4
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1993
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1993

About this map

Prince of Wales Island and Kupreanof Island are separated by the wide expanse of Sumner Strait in this mid-century survey of Southeast Alaska's Alexander Archipelago. The landscape is defined by the labyrinthine coastline of the Tongass National Forest, where deep indentations like Red Bay and California Bay provided critical sheltered waters for the region's early maritime activities. On the northern shores of Prince of Wales, a series of numbered streams — Creek No 1 through Creek No 4 — drain into the strait near Sandy Bight, highlighting the intricate hydrological network that supported the local ecosystem.

Remote outposts and navigation aids are scattered across the islands, including scattered Cabins at Douglas Bay and a Radio Tower on Big Level Island. The map records maritime hazards and landmarks essential for coastal navigation, such as the Light (The Eye Opener) and the Rookery Islands within Kashevarof Passage. This survey captures the region's character as a maritime frontier, where life was anchored to the tides and the seasonal resources found at places like Salmon Bay.