Loading map...

1948 Map of Anchorage D-2

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Anchorage D-2
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Matanuska Glacier and the Matanuska River dominate the southern reach of this landscape, where the ice and water carved out the dramatic geography of the Chugach Mountains. The 1948 survey documents the vital transportation corridor along the Glenn Highway, a route punctuated by essential traveler stops like the Meekins Roadhouse and Sheep Mountain Lodge. These establishments represent the mid-century infrastructure of the Alaskan interior, providing refuge and supplies along the mountain pass.

Higher elevations are defined by prominent peaks and ridges, including Lion Head and Gunsight Mountain. The terrain is etched with numerous drainages such as Caribou Creek and Alfred Creek, while a Tractor Trail provides access to the remote northern sections. This era of mapping shows a land still largely defined by its natural features, where a lone Landing Strip and the roadhouse system served as the primary connection to the wider world.