1943 Map of San Clemente Island South

About this map

China Point and the southern extremities of San Clemente Island are documented here in a detailed wartime survey from 1943. This map, produced by the Corps of Engineers, captures the isolation and strategic coastal topography of the area during the Second World War. Steep coastal cliffs drop toward the Pacific Ocean, framing landmarks like the Lighthouse and the sheltered waters of Pyramid Cove. The lack of inland development at this date emphasizes the island's primary role as a military and maritime observation point. Notable terrain features such as Pyramid Head and White Rock define the jagged shoreline, while Mosquito Cove provides one of the few named inlets on the eastern coast. This survey provides a precise look at the island's natural contours and essential navigation aids before later developments altered the landscape.