1959 Map of Barter Island

About this map

Barter Island and the coastal village of Kaktovik anchor this mid-century survey of Alaska's northernmost reaches along the Beaufort Sea. The landscape is defined by a complex network of barrier islands and lagoons, including Arey Island and Arey Lagoon, which protected the shoreline at the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Inland, the braided channels of the Jago River cut through the tundra, while a lone Tractor Trail provides the primary overland connection across the terrain. Human presence is marked by the Elupak (Site) and various coastal landmarks like Martin Pt and Griffin Pt. The map captures a pre-statehood era of exploration and remote habitation, indicated by labels for scattered Cabins, a Tower, and several triangulation stations such as VABM Barter. These features illustrate the navigational and strategic importance of this maritime boundary during the late 1950s.