1953 Map of Seward

About this map

Seward sits at the head of Resurrection Bay, serving as a vital terminus where the Alaska Railroad and Seward Highway meet the maritime routes of the Kenai Peninsula. This mid-century survey illustrates the era's infrastructure before major modern shifts, showing the coastal settlements of Whittier, Chenega, and Latouche established among the deep fjords of Prince William Sound. The map reveals a landscape dominated by massive glacial systems, including the Harding Icefield and Sargent Icefield, which feed numerous named glaciers like the Nellie Juan Glacier and Chenega Glacier. Inland, the proximity of the Portage site to Turnagain Arm highlights the historic transit corridor between the sound and the Cook Inlet waters. Smaller communities like Sunrise, Hope, and Lawing are also documented, reflecting the scattered settlement patterns of the Chugach National Forest during the 1950s.