1943 Map of San Clemente Island South

About this map

Pyramid Head and the southern extremities of San Clemente Island are documented here as they appeared during World War II, based on 1943 aerial photography and field checks. The landscape is defined by its isolation and steep coastal topography, where navigation is aided by a Lighthouse situated near the southern tip at China Point. The interior of the island is marked by a series of high-elevation survey points including Thirst 1965, Alta 1920, and Gray 1681, reflecting the rigorous mapping efforts required by the Army Map Service and the Corps of Engineers during the era. Along the eastern shoreline, the sheltered waters of Pyramid Cove and Mosquito Cove break the coastline, providing notable landmarks for maritime history and military coastal surveys in the Pacific Ocean.