1959 Map of Gulkana

About this map

Glennallen and the surrounding Copper River Basin are documented during a period of mid-century infrastructure expansion, where the Richardson Highway and Glenn Highway intersect at Gakona Junction. This map reveals the network of early roadhouses, lodges, and settlements that supported travel and commerce in the Alaskan interior, including Sourdough, Gulkana, and Tazlina. The convergence of the Gulkana River, Gakona River, and Copper River forms the geographic heart of the region, while the eastern edge is dominated by the massive peaks of the Wrangell Mountains, including Mount Sanford, Mount Drum, and the active volcano Mount Wrangell. Further north, Paxson Lake and the Tangle Lakes mark the headwaters of major river systems, interspersed with remote outposts like Sportsman Lodge and Tyone Village, offering a detailed view of the high-country landscape before modern development altered these traditional transit corridors.