1956 Map of San Nicolas Island

About this map

San Nicolas Island rises from the Pacific Ocean in this mid-century topographic study, showcasing a landscape defined by its isolated maritime character and strategic military utility. Mapped by the Army Map Service and published for civil use by the Geological Survey, the island's topography is dominated by a central plateau and complex drainage patterns that lead down to the southern coast. Along the shoreline, Dutch Harbor provides one of the few named coastal indentations, while multiple installations of a Light are noted across the terrain to aid navigation. The map's layout of unimproved dirt roads and light-duty paths reveals a controlled, sparse infrastructure typical of this offshore territory during the 1950s, prioritizing access between the higher elevations and the coast.