1952 Map of Skagway

About this map

The Chilkat River and Klehini River systems anchor this 1952 study of the coastal and alpine corridor connecting Southeast Alaska to the Canadian interior. Along these waterways, traditional and industrial settlements like Klukwan and Porcupine emerge at the base of the Takhanuk Mountains, illustrating the long-standing importance of this valley as a transit route. The infrastructure of the era is clearly defined by the White Pass and Yukon Route climbing the eastern peaks and the Haines Highway tracing the riverbanks toward Pleasant Camp on the international boundary. From the coastal enclave of Haines and Port Chilkoot to the remote outposts of Glacier Camp and Stonehouse, the map documents a landscape defined by its glaciers, such as those in Glacier Bay National Monument, and the difficult terrain that shaped the northern economy.