The 35 acre landscape of McCarthy Creek Airstrip was significant to the development of aviation and air travel in the eastern region of Alaska. It played a vital role in the development of the Chitina and Copper River Valley by serving as a focal point for initial flights. Built in 1929 by the Alaska Road Commission, McCarthy Creek Airstrip became one of the first taxiways in the isolated region. Features of the historic district include the airstrip, hangar, and Mudhole Smith cabin.
A trip from Cordova or Valdez to the Chitina River Valley could take days by train or even weeks by dogsled or packhorse. With the establishment of the McCarthy Creek Airstrip, it took only hours. Samson Ferreira, McCarthy Airstrip: Cultural Landscape Inventory, NPS, 2011
Last updated: December 30, 2019