1959 Map of Barter Island

About this map

Kaktovik and the coastal landscape of Barter Island dominate this late 1950s survey of the northern Alaskan coast. The map illustrates a transitional period for the Inupiat settlement, showing both the village and a nearby Kaktovik (Site) along the shores of the Beaufort Sea. The geography is defined by a series of barrier islands and spits, including Arey Island and Bernard Spit, which create protected waters like Arey Lagoon and Kaktovik Lagoon. Inland, the braided paths of the Jago River and Okpilak River cut through the tundra, while a lone Tractor Trail provides a rare terrestrial connection across the landscape. Notable navigation and survey markers, such as the VABM Barter 210 Astro, are scattered along the coast near Bernard Hbr and Manning Pt, reflecting the logistical importance of this Arctic outpost during the Cold War era.