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1951 Map of Anchorage C-6

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Anchorage C-6
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Palmer serves as the focal point of the Matanuska Valley in this early 1950s survey, showing a landscape defined by coal mining and agricultural settlement. Industrial activity is concentrated at the base of Wishbone Hill, where several significant operations such as the Evan Jones Mine, Buffalo Mine, and New Black Diamond Mine are connected to the rail network. The Alaska Railroad follows the path of the Matanuska River, linking these mines through Sutton and Jonesville toward the regional hub.

The valley floor around the town site is organized by early infrastructure like the Aqueduct and Scott Road, with numerous small lakes such as Kepler Lake and Matanuska Lake dotting the glacial terrain. Aviation plays a critical role in this frontier era, evidenced by various private and municipal sites including Whitaker Landing Strip and McKinley Landing Strip. To the east, the elevation rises sharply toward the prominent peaks of Lazy Mtn and Matanuska Peak, while the southern border is defined by the braided channels of the Knik River.