1956 Map of Chandalar

About this map

Venetie sits along the southern banks of the Chandalar River in this 1950s depiction of the central Brooks Range foothills. The map details a landscape dominated by the intricate drainage systems of the Middle Fork Chandalar River and the North Fork Koyukuk River, illustrating the rugged topography before modern development reached this interior region. Smaller settlements and waypoints like Caro and the Sixty-one Mile Cabin are visible, alongside a extensive Winter Trail that served as a vital transport artery for the remote north. The presence of the Venetie Indian Reservation in the southeast corner marks the cultural footprint of the Neets'ąįį Gwich'in people during this era of federal land mapping. This survey is particularly useful for identifying traditional landmarks like the O'Keefe Hills and the twin peaks of East Buttons and West Buttons which helped guide travel through the vast river valleys.