1954 Map of Dillingham

About this map

The Nushagak River and its complex network of tributaries define this mid-century portrait of southwestern Alaska. Centered on the hub of Dillingham, the landscape reveals a series of remote settlements including Kanakanak, Nelsonville, and Ekwok that rely on the waterways for transport and survival. To the west, the formidable Wood River Mountains rise sharply, cradling a chain of massive glacial lakes such as Lake Aleknagik, Lake Nerka, and Lake Beverley. This region, largely encompassed by the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, shows the early infrastructure of the Bush, featuring the Dillingham Airfield and smaller strips at Koliganek and Aleknagik. The intersection of the Mulchatna River and the Kvichak River systems highlights the importance of these aquatic corridors for the commercial fishing and subsistence cultures of the era.