1951 Map of Fairbanks B-1

About this map

The Tanana River meanders along the eastern edge of this mid-century sub-arctic landscape, defining the limit of a significant Ladd Air Force Base Military Reservation Boundary. The interior is dominated by the Bombing and Gunnery Range, a massive tract of land used for Cold War-era training and operations south of Fairbanks. The terrain is characterized by the low-lying Blair Lakes and the seasonal flow of Dry Creek, set against the backdrop of the Tanana's braided channels. A remote airstrip near the lakes and the prominent VABM Flat 1406 point represent the sparse human footprint in this interior wilderness. The map captures the scale of military land use in Alaska during the early 1950s, showing how vast segments of the territory were dedicated to defense and aviation as the territory's strategic importance grew.