1951 Map of St Matthew

About this map

The Bering Sea National Wildlife Refuge encompasses the stark and isolated terrain of St Matthew Island, as it appeared in the middle of the twentieth century. This 1951 reconnaissance survey, based on aerial photography from 1948, illustrates the jagged coastal geography of one of Alaska's most remote outposts. The island's topography is defined by prominent landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mtn and the sheer cliffs of Cape Upright. To the northwest across the Sarichef Strait, Hall Island stands as a significant satellite, marked by Cape Hall and the distinct Elephant Rock. Further south, the map details the solitary spire of Pinnacle Island and Gull Rock, highlighting a landscape shaped by the unforgiving elements of the Bering Sea. This document captures the uninhabited character of the region before modern scientific expeditions and changing climate patterns altered the environmental context of these Bering Sea islands.