1951 Map of St Matthew

About this map

St. Matthew Island and its smaller neighbors, Hall Island and Pinnacle Island, are isolated features in the middle of the Bering Sea. This 1950s reconnaissance survey, based on 1948 aerial photography, provides a detailed look at the landforms within the Bering Sea National Wildlife Refuge. The terrain is characterized by high points such as Sugarloaf Mtn and dramatic coastal features like Glory of Russia Cape and Cape Upright. Separating the two largest islands is the Sarichef Strait, while smaller hazards such as Elephant Rock, Arre Rocks, and Split Rock are noted along the coastline. The map serves as a primary record of this remote Alaskan island group, documenting its geography before modern satellite mapping.