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1955 Map of Barter Island A-4

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Barter Island A-4
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Arctic National Wildlife Range spans this coastal stretch of the North Slope, where the Beaufort Sea meets a complex system of barrier islands and inlets. In 1955, the coastline was defined by narrow landforms like Jago Spit and Tapkaurak Spit, which protected the shallow waters of Jago Lagoon and Tapkaurak Lagoon from the open sea. This survey reveals a landscape shaped by shifting waters and early Arctic presence, noted by Ruins near Martin Point.

Drainage systems such as the braided Jago River and the winding Niguanak River flow northward into the lagoons, creating a fractured delta environment. Several family-named markers, including Brooks, Donell, and Penta, are situated across the tundra, providing valuable reference points for genealogists and researchers tracking historical land use and early mapping efforts in this remote territory prior to its later environmental designations.