1960 Map of Valdez A-7

About this map

Valdez and its surrounding glacial landscape are captured here just before the 1964 earthquake altered the region's geography forever. This survey documents the original coastal configuration of Port Valdez, showing Old Valdez situated on its waterfront long before the town was relocated. The area’s industrial heritage is evident in the cluster of hard-rock mines along Mineral Creek and the Lowe River drainage, including the Midas Mine and Glacier Mine. North of the townsite, the massive Shoup Glacier feeds into Shoup Bay, while to the south, the Chugach National Forest spans the mountainous terrain toward Jack Bay. Historic military and aviation footprints are visible at the Fort Liscum (Site) and the Valdez Airport, marking the town’s role as a vital transportation and logistics hub for the Alaskan interior during the mid-20th century.