1955 Map of Circle

About this map

The Steese Highway serves as the primary artery through this interior Alaskan wilderness, connecting small mining settlements and remote outposts during the mid-1950s. The landscape is defined by the high peaks of the White Mountains and the Crazy Mountains, with the Yukon River carving along the northeastern edge of the sheet. Mining activity is evident through clusters of Placer Mines and the engineering feat of the Davidson Ditch, a system built to provide water for hydraulic mining operations. Local hubs like Central, Miller House (PO), and Circle provide a glimpse into the logistics of the era, while the presence of Circle Hot Springs and Chena Hot Springs highlights the early geothermal landmarks of the region. This survey captures a moment when resource extraction and remote roadhouses like Twelvemile House dictated the settlement patterns between the Chatanika River and the Chena River.