1951 Map of Melozitna

About this map

The Koyukuk River and Yukon River define this mid-century Alaskan landscape, where the vast drainage systems of the Melozitna River and Kokrines Hills dominate the interior. This reconnaissance study, compiled from trimetrogon photography taken during the early 1940s, reveals a territory organized around waterway transport and remote extraction. Small pockets of industry are evident at the Indian Placer Mine and a general Placer Mine near the northern boundary, while isolated outposts like Birches and Cabin represent the sparse human footprint in the Fourth Judicial Division. The map is particularly striking for its depiction of river morphology, showing complex meanders and islands such as Treat Island and Huggins Island, which were essential navigation landmarks for riverboats and bush pilots before the widespread development of road infrastructure in the region.