1951 Map of Valdez C-3

About this map

The Tonsina River carves a dramatic path through this high-elevation Alaskan landscape, joined by tributaries such as Dust Creek and Bernard Creek. Settlement in the early 1950s is concentrated in the north along the Edgerton Highway, where the community of Kenney Lake sits near a small Cemetery. This area represents a period of post-war northern expansion and infrastructure development, with the highway serving as a vital link between the interior and the coast. To the east, the massive Copper River forms a natural boundary, while the southern portion of the map is dominated by high peaks and the Kimball Pass. The map detail shows a transition from the river-bottom lands of Willow Creek to the steep, glaciated terrain of the Chugach foothills, illustrating the logistical challenges faced by early road builders and settlers in the Copper River basin.