1953 Map of Seward

About this map

The coastal hub of Seward anchor this 1950s survey of the Kenai Peninsula, where the Alaska Railroad snakes through mountain passes to reach the deep-water ports of Resurrection Bay and Passage Canal. This era captures a landscape defined by the reach of the rail line and the Sterling Highway, connecting remote settlements like Moose Pass, Lawing, and Hope. To the east, the map details the intricate coastlines and scattered islands of Prince William Sound, including the village of Chenega and the mining-associated site at Latouche. The vast glacial systems of the Sargent Icefield and Harding Icefield dominate the high country, illustrating the formidable terrain that separated established settlements. Researchers can trace the mid-century infrastructure of the Chugach National Forest and the early layout of Girdwood and Whittier before later decades brought significant growth and seismic change to the region.