1959 Map of Yakutat B-4

About this map

The Yakutat Foreland meets the Gulf of Alaska in this mid-century portrait of coastal Alaska, where a network of glacial rivers and tidal flats define the geography. The expansive Tongass National Forest covers much of the inland area, giving way to dynamic water features like the Dangerous River and the Italio River. The mapping shows an early era of resource exploration and remote subsistence, marked by isolated cabins, an Oil Well, and a Drill Hole scattered across the lowlands. Near the coast, Blacksand Island and the long stretch of Blacksand Spit frame the complex estuary of the Ahrnklin River. These landmarks, along with a remote Landing Strip, reflect the vital importance of aviation and water transport in a landscape largely devoid of roads.