1953 Map of Taku River

About this map

Tongass National Forest dominates this mid-century cartographic study, which delineates the intricate boundary between Alaska and British Columbia. The terrain is characterized by massive ice fields and steep peaks, where the Wright Glacier and Twin Glacier Lake feed into the complex waterway of the Taku River. This 1953 compilation, based on surveys from the early 1900s and post-war aerial photography, reveals a wilderness largely devoid of permanent settlements, save for a lone Cabin situated near the glacial terminal. Coastal features like Snettisham Port and Speel Arm indicate the deep-water inlets that define the coastline of the First Judicial Division. Higher elevations are marked by prominent summits such as Mt Ogden, Devils Paw, and Mt Brundage, which serve as critical landmarks along the international border. The map provides a precise look at the hydrology of the region, including Turner Lake and the long, narrow reach of Long Lake.