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1950 Map of Fairbanks D-3

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Fairbanks D-3
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Murphy Dome and its associated military reservation overlook a landscape of deep ridges and creek valleys northwest of Fairbanks. This 1950 survey, updated with 1972 revisions, tracks the infrastructure of the Alaskan interior, from the winding route of the Alaska Railroad to the specialized facilities on Ester Dome, including a Ski Lodge and the Ester Dome Observatory. The map provides a detailed view of early settlements like Ester and the rail-stops at Saulich and Old Saulich, illustrating the transition from mining-era outposts to mid-century scientific and military development.

The southern reaches are defined by the Tanana River and the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest, while a network of tractor and sled trails connects remote points like Keystone Ridge and Lincoln Ridge. The prominence of features like the Landing Strip near the military reservation and the Fairbanks Base Line highlights the area's importance for both regional surveying and national defense during the Cold War era.