1951 Map of Healy B-4

About this map

The Alaska Railroad serves as a critical transportation artery through this corridor of the Alaska Range, following the winding path of the Nenana River. This 1949 aerial survey shows the settlement of Cantwell as a focal point for the region, featuring a Water Tank and the Cantwell Airstrip located just outside the eastern boundary of Mt McKinley National Park. The landscape is defined by the significant elevation of the Reindeer Hills and Panorama Mountain, while lower-lying routes like The Tractor Trail provide access through the valley floor. To the south, the Jack River and Chulitna River systems drain the high peaks, marked by remote landmarks such as Caribou Pass. The map captures a moment when infrastructure was closely tied to the railroad and basic air facilities, centered on these small mountain outposts.