1952 Map of Tyonek D-1

About this map

The Alaska Railroad serves as the primary spine of development through this portion of the Susitna Valley, tracing a narrow corridor of human activity amidst a landscape largely unmapped in the early 1950s. While much of the western quadrangle is noted as having no compilation available due to insufficient photo coverage, the eastern edge reveals a string of rail-dependent settlements and infrastructure. Small outposts like Caswell and Kashwitna are positioned along the tracks, supported by features like the Willow Station Airstrip and a Gravel Pit. The drainage patterns are dominated by the braided Susitna River and its numerous tributaries, including the Kashwitna River, Willow Creek, and Sheep Creek. This survey captures a moment when territorial Alaska relied heavily on single-track rail connections to bridge the wilderness between growing coastal hubs and the interior.