The initial section of the Copper River Highway follows the original route of the Copper River and Northwest Railway (CR&NW), built in 1911. Along the route,between miles 5 and 11, are are eight bridges officially recognized and named by the Alaska Legislature in recognition of honored Cordovan veterans killed in action and local figures who were significant in shaping and preserving the region’s heritage.
Milepost 4: Historic Marker placed by CR&NW builder Michael J. Heney in honor of the laborers who built the railroad.
Milepost 5: In January 2000, a large avalanche occurred down these slopes, displacing a number of families and resulting in the loss of one life. Construction in this area is still limited today.
Milepost 5.7: Jones Bridge. Eyak Lake exits into Eyak River and flows downriver to the site of an original Eyak village. Named for Marie Smith Jones, the last Eyak Native who was fluent in the language. She worked tirelessly to preserve the Eyak culture and left behind a comprehensive record of the now-extinct Eyak language.
Milepost 7: U.S. Naval radio site. Established in 1914, the site developed into a small community with a school and water pipeline. Later, the facility was used by the Alaska Department of Transportation; remnants of the DOT building are still visible.
Milepost 7.5: Banta Bridge. Michael Dean Banta was a veteran killed during the Vietnam War. Private Banta served with Company H, Infantry Rangers, 1st Cavalry Division. He died in 1970 just three days before his 21st birthday.
Milepost 8.1: Paulsen Bridge. Veteran Warren Allen Paulsen was killed in the Vietnam War in 1969 at the age of 24. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Boatswain ‘S Mate.
Milepost 9.2: Lape Bridge. David Allen Lape was a veteran who lost his life in a mortar attack in the Vietnam War. Warrant Officer Lape, Army Reserve, died in 19669 at the age of 28.
Milepost 9.5: Webber Bridge. The bridge was named for Irene Webber, founder of the Cordova Running Club, the Alaska Salmon Runs, and the Cordova 2×2 Cancer Walk.
Milepost 9.7: Elisovsky Bridge. David Henry Elisovsky, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was killed by sniper fire in 1966, 6 months before his 19th birthday. Sergeant Elisovsky served with the 101st Airborne Division, First Brigade. He was posthumously awarded the Military Merit Medal and Gallantry Cross with Palm.
Milepost 10.2: Chugach National Forest gazebo. Established in 1907, the Chugach National Forest is the second largest in the country, including three geographic areas – the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, and the Copper River Delta.
Milepost 10.4: Olson Bridge. Veteran of World War II, Leonard F. Olson died in Luxembourg from wounds received four months earlier. Sergeant Olson served with the 328th Regiment, 26th Yankee Division.
Milepost 11: Osborne Bridge. Norman D. Osborne, a World War II veteran, died in Okinawa at the age of 23. Army Private Osborne was awarded the Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster.
Milepost 12: U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Station. Provides search and rescue primarily for the commercial fishing fleet. The two gun turrets that line the entrance are remnants from the World War II military base built in 1941 and manned through 1944.
Milepost 13: Merle K. “Mudhole” Smith Airport. Smith was an early bush pilot who owned Cordova Airlines. Smith sold his operation to Alaska Airlines in 1973.