1951 Map of Anchorage C-5

About this map

The Matanuska River corridor dominates this 1951 topographic study, providing a vital transport artery through the Chugach Mountains just years after the end of World War II. The Glenn Highway follows the northern bank of the river, marked with benchmarks and specific mile indicators like Mile 70, showing the post-war infrastructure development in this territory. Branching off the main road, the Chickaloon Trail winds into the northern backcountry near Kings River, suggesting the continued reliance on older overland routes for interior access. The southern portion of the sheet is defined by the high-elevation peaks of Pinnacle Mtn and Kings Mtn, while the lower reaches show the broad, braided channels of the Knik River near Friday Creek. This map captures a landscape in transition, where established mining or trapping trails met the emerging modern highway system.