1956 Map of San Nicolas Island

About this map

San Nicolas Island is depicted here in detail following mid-century field checks and aerial photography. As the most remote of California's Channel Islands, the landscape is defined by its isolation within the Pacific Ocean. This 1:24,000 scale survey illustrates the island's unique topography, including the sheltered waters of Dutch Harbor on the southern shore and the primary navigational Light positioned on the eastern point. The map reveals the infrastructure of the era, showing a network of unimproved roads and an airfield that highlight the island's strategic utility and restricted access. The elevation contours provide a clear picture of the plateaus and steep coastal cliffs that have historically sheltered both indigenous inhabitants and later maritime operations.