Loading map...

1959 Map of Cordova

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Cordova
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Cordova sits as the central hub of this coastal survey, where the rugged peaks of the Chugach Mountains meet the waters of Orca Inlet and Orca Bay. The map documents a critical transition in Alaskan transportation history, showing the path of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway alongside the developing Copper River Highway. To the east, the sprawling Copper River Delta is intricately detailed with its shifting waterways, including Alaganik Slough and Kokinhenik Slough, which dominate the landscape between the gulf and the mountains.

Local history is preserved through the marking of smaller settlements like Katalla and Ellamar, as well as industrial features like Mines and the Hinchinbrook Military Reservation. Maritime navigation is well-represented with the Cape Hinchinbrook Light and Bligh Reef Light guarding the entrances to Prince William Sound. The geography of the region is further defined by massive glaciers such as the McPherson Glacier and numerous named islands including Hinchinbrook Island and Hawkins Island.