1949 Map of Valdez D-4

About this map

Copper Center sits at the vital junction of the Klutina River and the Copper River, serving as a critical waypoint along the Richardson Highway. This 1949 field survey illustrates the early infrastructure of the Copper River Valley, featuring a landing strip, a gravel pit, and a localized Radio Station. The map captures the intersection of the main highway with the Old Edgerton Highway, a route that branches eastward toward Edgerton. To the south, the landscape is defined by significant elevations such as Stuck Mountain and Willow Mountain, while Willow Lake provides a major hydrographic feature. The inclusion of the Copper River Base Line and Copper River Meridian highlights the foundational surveying work required to organize this Alaskan interior as settlement and transportation networks expanded.