Copper Mining, the McCarthy Road, and America's Largest National Park

The McCarthy Road, connecting to former copper mining settlements within Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, exemplifies the intersection of public-private accommodation and historical commemoration in a remote UNESCO World Heritage Site. This study highlights how the road serves as both a practical link for park visitors and a tangible record of industrial history amidst one of America's most isolated and expansive protected areas. The research approach combines geographic analysis with historical context, illustrating the enduring legacy of copper mining on landscape and heritage preservation in this unique region.

Wikle, T. A. (2014). Copper Mining, the McCarthy Road, and America’s Largest National Park. Focus on Geography, 57(4), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1111/foge.12040