1949 Map of Petersburg B-5

About this map

Port Protection and Pt Baker anchor the northwestern coastline of Prince of Wales Island, serving as critical maritime outposts in the Tongass National Forest. This mapping, based on 1948 aerial photography with 1984 updates, captures the intricate shoreline of Sumner Strait where small settlements navigated a landscape of tidal inlets and dense timber. The topography reveals the isolation of the northern Alexander Archipelago, where life centered on protected harbors like Labouchere Bay and the navigational aid at West Rock Light. Across the water to the north, the southern tip of Kupreanof Island is defined by Totem Bay and the freshwater system of Kushneahin Lake. The presence of features like Hole-in-the-Wall and Joe Mace Island reflects the importance of small-vessel navigation in an era before extensive modern infrastructure reached these remote coastal reaches.