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1952 Map of Fairbanks C-1

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Fairbanks C-1
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

The Tanana River and its intricate network of braided waterways dominate this early 1950s landscape, illustrating a region defined by massive military infrastructure and vital transportation corridors. The newly established Eielson Air Force Base stands as a focal point, served by The Alaska Railroad and the Richardson Highway. To the west, the expansive Ladd Air Force Base Bombing and Gunnery Range occupies the territory south of the river, while the Salcha Military Reservation borders the southern reaches.

Small settlements like Big Horn and Moose Creek are situated along the highway, tucked near landmarks such as Moose Creek Bluff. The map captures the complex hydrology of the interior, featuring numerous side channels like Piledriver Slough, Chena Slough, and Salchaket Slough. These waterways and the presence of a Winter Trail reveal the seasonal nature of movement and land use in the Tanana Valley during this era of Cold War expansion.