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1962 Map of Big Delta A-4

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Big Delta A-4
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Fort Greely anchors the southern portion of this interior landscape, marking a period of military presence near the confluence of major glacial rivers. The confluence of the Delta River and the Tanana River creates a complex network of braided channels and gravel bars, influencing the placement of early transportation routes. While the settlement of Big Delta (Aban'd) is noted as abandoned, the area remains a hub for travel via the Richardson Highway and the Alaska Highway.

Away from the river corridors, the map reveals a transition into the Shaw Creek Flats and Goodpaster Flats, where numerous water bodies like Quartz Lake and Thompson Lake dot the lowlands. Higher elevations like Fourmile Hill and Bluff Cabin Ridge overlook the valley. Cultural markers of the era include Jollys Cabins, a Winter Trail, and the Big Delta Airport, reflecting the infrastructure required for life in the Alaskan interior during the mid-20th century.