1955 Map of Circle D-1

About this map

Circle serves as a critical riverfront terminus in this interior Alaska landscape, situated where the Steese Highway meets the winding Yukon River. The topography transitions from the low-lying wetlands of the Yukon Flats to the elevated terrain of Thermokarst Bluff, illustrating the complex permafrost-shaped geography of the region. Local infrastructure is concentrated around the settlement, featuring a Landing Strip and a Cem located just south of the main hub. The hydrology of the area is dominated by the intricate meanders of Birch Creek and Big Creek, which feed into a mosaic of water bodies such as Fiasco Lake. Much of the northern portion of the map is preserved within the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, indicating the area's significance for conservation and habitat protection during the mid-20th century.