1952 Map of Selawik D-6

About this map

Turnagain Arm dominates this 1952 topographic study, revealing the transportation corridor between Anchorage and Seward during a period of significant postwar development. The map details the parallel routes of The Alaska Railroad and the Seward Anchorage Highway as they skirt the tidal mudflats and mountain slopes of the Chugach National Forest. Settlements like Girdwood, Kern, and Portage appear as small hubs along these vital arteries, while the presence of the Twentymile Sawmill (Abandoned) and the Lower Engineers Camp points to the area's industrial and infrastructure history. Numerous glacial meltwater streams, including the Placer River and Twentymile River, carve through the landscape, feeding into the silt-laden waters of the arm. Local landmarks like the Emergency Landing Field near Portage and the Air Strip at Girdwood reflect the era's reliance on aviation for regional connectivity.