1954 Map of Fairbanks D-2

About this map

The Chena River and Tanana River converge in this mid-century portrait of interior Alaska, capturing the rapid expansion of Fairbanks and its surrounding communities. The map highlights the city's strategic role as a transportation and military hub, from the Alaska Railroad and Fairbanks International Airport to the sprawling Fort Wainwright complex. Purple revision tints reveal the growth of neighborhoods like Lemeta, Statesville, and Aurora Garden on Garden Island. To the west, the University of Alaska sits overlooking the valley, while the northern reaches show the industrial and logistical infrastructure of the Steese Highway and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Traditional mining and agricultural roots are still visible in the gold mine labels and the vast Creamers Field State Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, offering a detailed view of the region's transition from a frontier town to a modern arctic center.