1951 Map of Anchorage C-6

About this map

Palmer serves as the central hub of this mid-century survey, anchoring a landscape where agricultural tracts meet the industrial demands of the coal fields. The agricultural development of the Matanuska Valley is evident in the grid-like land divisions surrounding Matanuska and Bodenburg Butte, while to the north, the terrain rises sharply toward Arkose Ridge and Wishbone Hill. This region was a critical energy corridor for the territory, evidenced by the cluster of active and inactive coal works including the Evan Jones Mine, Eska Mine, and the New Black Diamond Mine. Transport routes follow the natural topography, with The Alaska Railroad and the Glenn Highway tracing the path of the Matanuska River. From the complex braids of the Knik River to the small settlements like Sutton and Jonesville, the map captures the transition between the valley's pioneering farmsteads and its mountainous mineral resources.