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1960 Map of Valdez

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Valdez
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Richardson Highway corridor anchor this mid-century portrait of a region defined by its monumental ice and shifting transportation networks. Near the southern coast, the Valdez corporate boundary encompasses both the modern city and the site of Old Valdez, while the Marine Terminal stands as a focal point of industrial development at the head of the port. Moving inland, the landscape is a complex system of glaciers, including the massive Columbia Glacier, Tazlina Glacier, and Stephens Glacier.

The interior reveals established river settlements such as Copper Center, Tonsina, and Chitina, where the confluence of the Copper River and Chitina River historically shaped travel and commerce. Infrastructure landmarks like Pump Station 12 and the Tiekel Cache reflect the logistical challenges of the Alaskan wilderness. From the high peaks of the Chugach Mountains to the Wrangell - Saint Elias National Preserve, the map documents a territory where industrial expansion and natural preservation intersect.