1956 Map of Healy

About this map

Mount McKinley National Park dominates the western landscape of this mid-century survey, showcasing the topographic complexity of the Alaska Range before modern expansion. The Alaska Railroad serves as the primary corridor for human activity, connecting a series of remote industrial and railway outposts like Healy, Suntrana, and Cantwell. This transportation spine mirrors the path of the Nenana River as it cuts through the mountains. Mining interests are clearly established in the northern hills, evidenced by the clustered settlements of Lignite and Usibelli, while the isolated Dunkle Mine sits deep in the southern reaches of the park boundary. The eastern half of the map reveals the broad, braided networks of the Susitna River and the Yanert Fork, illustrating the glacial drainage patterns typical of this subarctic interior. The presence of the Denali Highway and various mountain passes like Sable Pass and Windy Pass highlights the era’s vital overland routes through the wilderness.