1952 Map of Holy Cross

About this map

The Yukon River and Innoko River dominate this interior Alaskan landscape, where the seasonal movement of water and people defines the geography. At the confluence of these waterways, the village of Anvik serves as a primary settlement point, while Shageluk and Holikachuk anchor the winding sloughs of the east. This 1952 survey, compiled by the Army Map Service, documents a pre-statehood era when terrestrial movement relied heavily on the Winter Trail and Reindeer Trail networks connecting the remote drainages. The map reveals the intricate network of islands like Horse Island and Turtle Island that shift within the broad river valleys. Surrounded by the Illivit Mountains and Holy Cross Hills, the region shows evidence of resource exploration at an unnamed Mine and significant topographical landmarks such as Two Spot Mountain and Bonasila Dome.