1953 Map of Medfra B-5

About this map

The Sunshine Mountains dominate the northeastern corner of this sub-arctic landscape, providing a high-elevation backdrop to a complex network of low-lying wetlands. The drainage system is defined by the winding course of the West Fork Nixon Fork, which meanders through the central and western sections of the map, eventually joining the main Nixon Fork in the south. This 1953 field-annotated survey reveals a terrain largely shaped by water, where the mountain slopes descend into vast areas of swamps and braided streams. To the east, the headwaters of Washington Creek snake through the valley floor, illustrating the intricate hydrology typical of the Yukon-Koyukuk region before significant modern development. The absence of named settlements or roads underscores the wilderness character of the interior during the early 1950s.