1955 Map of Barter Island A-5

About this map

Kaktovik sits at the edge of the Beaufort Sea in this mid-century survey of the northern Alaskan coast. The landscape is dominated by the complex interaction of land and water, where the Okpilak River drains into the sheltered waters of Arey Lagoon. The map illustrates the strategic and subsistence-based layout of the area, featuring the village of Kaktovik alongside a Landing Strip, a Tower, and the Elupak (Site) to the west. Protective barriers like Arey Island, Barter Island, and Bernard Spit create a chain of lagoons, including Bernard Harbor and Kaktovik Lagoon, which have historically provided vital access and shelter. Inland, the vast expanse of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is marked by a traditional Winter Trail, reflecting the seasonal movement patterns essential to this high-latitude environment.