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1951 Map of Yakutat

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Yakutat
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The coastal settlement of Yakutat sits at the edge of the Tongass National Forest, serving as a vital link between the Gulf of Alaska and the glacial interior. This 1951 survey, compiled from Trimetrogon photography and original 1906–1908 international boundary records, reveals a landscape dominated by the massive Malaspina Glacier and the towering peaks of the Saint Elias Mountains. The map documents the strategic importance of the area during the early Cold War era, featuring a Military Airport just south of the main village.

Water and ice define the geography here, from the branching arms of Russell Fiord and Nunatak Fiord to the silt-laden mouth of the Alsek River at Dry Bay. Navigational landmarks like Pt Latouche and Cape Enchantment line Disenchantment Bay, while the Brabazon Range marks the transition toward the Canadian border. The intricate detail of the glacial tongues, including Hidden Glacier and Artlewis Glacier, provides an essential record of the coastline before mid-century environmental shifts.