1952 Map of Valdez

About this map

Valdez sits at the head of Port Valdez, serving as a critical coastal gateway during this early statehood era. This reconnaissance survey documents the vital transportation corridors of the Richardson Highway and Glenn Highway, which connected the maritime coast to the interior settlements of Copper Center and Chitina. The landscape is dominated by the massive ice fields of the Tazlina Glacier, Valdez Glacier, and Columbia Glacier, showing the intricate relationship between glaciated terrain and the developing road network. High-altitude mining activity is evident through remote outposts such as Midas Camp, Gold King Camp, and the Cliff Mine. Localized landmarks like Tiekel Cache and Ptarmigan Drop mark specific points of interest along the mountain passes, while the Copper River and its many tributaries, including the Klutina River and Tonsina River, define the region's drainage and historical travel routes.