1956 Map of Hughes

About this map

The Hughes settlement sits at the heart of this mid-century Alaskan interior survey, positioned along the banks of the Koyukuk River. This remote landscape is defined by its dramatic watershed divides, where the Arctic Circle crosses through the Hogatzatna Hills and Lockwood Hills. Regional travel and transport in this era are anchored to the water and seasonal routes, evidenced by the Sled Trail leading toward the Indian Mountains and the specific river access points like Elevenmile Landing Area and Hog Landing. The presence of a Placer Mine near Indian Mountain suggests the enduring pull of mineral extraction in the Yukon-Koyukuk region. To the north, the terrain rises into the Angayucham Mts and Helpmejack Hills, sheltering large bodies of water such as Norutak Lake and Lake Selby that feed the intricate network of the Alatna River and Kobuk River systems.