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1950 Map of Anchorage C-8

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Anchorage C-8
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The Alaska Railroad cuts a prominent line across this terrain, connecting the small settlements of Houston and Pittman during a period of post-war expansion. This survey reveals an economy and landscape defined by the intersection of resource extraction and the water-rich geography of the Matanuska-Susitna region. The Houston Strip Mine stands as a clear indicator of local industry, while the dense concentration of water bodies like Big Lake, Nancy Lake, and the Little Susitna River illustrates the complexity of the local drainage system.

South of the rail line, the expansive Meadow Lakes region is dotted with numerous smaller features like Beaver Lakes, Lucile Lake, and Rocky Lake. The presence of the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area suggests the early recognition of the territory's recreational value. These markers of early development, from industrial Gravel Pit locations to backcountry cabins and campgrounds, provide a primary source for understanding the mid-century footprint of Southcentral Alaska.