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1949 Map of Fairbanks D-1

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Fairbanks D-1
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Chena River and its intricate network of sloughs dominate this 1949 survey of the Fairbanks backcountry, revealing a landscape defined by seasonal travel and mineral exploration. The southern reach of the sheet is anchored by the Alaska Railroad and the Richardson Highway, which cut across the lowlands near the Tanana River. This transport corridor serves as the gateway to a rugged interior where numerous creeks like Yellow Pup Creek and Last Chance Creek hint at the region's mining heritage.

Several Cabin sites are scattered along the meandering Little Chena River, marking isolated outposts in the expansive terrain. Higher ground is found at Browns Hill and Lakloey Hill, while much of the low-lying valley is crisscrossed by a Sled Road and the Steece Creek Road, indicating the importance of overland trails before modern infrastructure was fully established. The map also identifies the corner of a U S Military Reservation, reflecting the strategic significance of the Interior during the early Cold War era.