1952 Map of Kantishna River A-2

About this map

Kantishna River and Bearpaw River dominate this interior Alaskan landscape, weaving through a dense network of wetlands and small lakes. The 1952 aerial photography captured a remote wilderness where transport relied on the winding waterways and the seasonal Sled Road that crosses the eastern terrain. Bearpaw Cabins sits as a primary point of human settlement along the riverbanks, representing the small-scale habitations typical of the Fourth Judicial Division in the mid-20th century. To the west, the elevation rises toward Bearpaw Mountain, providing a stark contrast to the low-lying marshlands of the Chitsia Creek drainage. The map provides a distinct look at the topographic character of the region before significant modern development, documenting the exact placement of river meanders and localized landmarks used by trappers and early explorers.