1954 Map of Circle B-5

About this map

The Steese Highway carves a path through the high interior of the Alaska territory in the early 1950s, following the drainage of Mc Manus Creek and Faith Creek. This era of development is marked by the presence of the Montana Creek ARC Camp and the remote Sourdough Camp situated along the Chatanika River. Evidence of hydraulic mining operations is visible throughout the landscape, specifically the long course of a Ditch and associated Flume infrastructure used to move water across the terrain. These engineering works supported a Placer Mine on Sourdough Creek, highlighting the region's focus on gold extraction. The map preserves the names of numerous small tributaries with evocative local labels such as Glacier Pup, Tough Luck Creek, and Homestake Creek, reflecting the rugged character of the prospecting era.