1955 Map of Beechey Point A-4

About this map

The Kuparuk River carves a braided path through this Arctic coastal plain as it was documented in 1955. The landscape is a dense network of thaw lakes and ponds characteristic of the North Slope, with the meandering Putuligayuk River and the Sakonowyak River further defining the drainage patterns. While no permanent settlements or roads appear at this date, several named points including Eileen, Hurl, Neal, and Hemi indicate early survey markers or temporary camps within the tundra. These labels provide a window into the initial mapping efforts in an area that would later become central to Alaskas energy industry. The presence of several Well labels suggests early exploration activities already underway in the mid-century, long before the establishment of modern infrastructure.