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1960 Map of Petersburg

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Petersburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

Tongass National Forest dominates the Alexander Archipelago in this mid-century look at Southeast Alaska's intricate waterways. The coastal settlements of Petersburg and Wrangell serve as the primary hubs for maritime activity, positioned near the junction of Frederick Sound and the Stikine River. The complex geography of large islands, including Kuiu Island, Kupreanof Island, and Mitkof Island, is defined by deep inlets like Duncan Canal and treacherous passages like Wrangell Narrows.

Along the eastern margin, the Great Glacier and the international boundary between Canada and the United States highlight the proximity of British Columbia to the Pacific coast. The map illustrates a landscape where the sea is the primary thoroughfare, connecting the remote village of Kake to the south through Sumner Strait and Clarence Strait. This era captures the region prior to modern industrial shifts, focusing on the natural contours and established fishing and timber towns of the panhandle.