1956 Map of Arctic

About this map

Arctic Village stands as the primary human settlement in this remote expanse of the Brooks Range, situated along the East Fork Chandalar River. The landscape is defined by its vast drainage systems, where the Canning River and the Marsh Fork Canning River flow north from the Continental Divide. This area serves as a critical corridor for traditional travel and subsistence, with features like Carter Pass and Guilbeau Pass providing rare traversable routes through the Philip Smith Mountains. Numerous lakes, such as Porcupine Lake and Tinjik Lake, dot the valley floors, highlighting a landscape where geography dictates the patterns of movement. The map captures the region during a period of formalizing boundaries, reflecting the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge across the northern interior.