1952 Map of Fairbanks

About this map

Fairbanks serves as the focal point of this mid-century interior Alaska landscape, situated where the Chena River meets the complex drainage of the Tanana River and Salchoket Slough. The map documents a critical era of post-war development and military expansion, featuring Eielson Air Force Base and the extensive Bombing and Gunnery Range to the south. Transportation infrastructure is anchored by The Alaska Railroad, which traces a path through settlements like Dunbar, Berg, and Nenana. Educational and community growth is marked by the Univ of Alaska and the emerging town of North Pole. The terrain transitions from the wetland flats of Minto Lake to the high ground of Murphy Dome and Gilmore Dome, illustrating the geographic constraints that shaped early roads like the Steese Highway and various Sled Road routes used for winter transport.