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1973 Map of Shaw Island

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Shaw Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1994
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1994

About this map

Shaw Island serves as the central focus of this coastal study, illustrating the maritime and rural character of the San Juan archipelago in the early 1970s, with updates reflecting changes through the late 1980s. The island's geography is defined by its numerous inlets and points, including Blind Bay and Hicks Bay, while its social center is anchored by the Post Office and a local Cem. Transportation depends heavily on ferry routes traversing the Wasp Passage and Harney Channel, linking the island to neighboring Orcas and the larger settlement at Lopez.

Conservation efforts and the preservation of natural shorelines are evident through the designation of the San Juan Wilderness and several state parks like Victim Island State Park and Blind Island State Park. Local industry and infrastructure are represented by a Gravel Pit and a Landing Strip near the northern coast of Orcas Island. The map provides a look at the residential and recreational development of the era, from the shores of Hummel Lake to the protected waters of Friday Harbor.