1955 Map of Beechey Point C-5

About this map

The Beaufort Sea coastline of Alaska's North Slope is captured here during the mid-1950s, revealing a landscape defined by barrier islands and shallow lagoons. The Jones Islands chain, including Pingok Island and Leavitt Island, forms a protective arc against the Arctic waters, creating the sheltered Simpson Lagoon. This region, mapped by the Army Map Service, shows early infrastructure on the mainland such as the Landing Strip at Oliktok Point and survey markers like West Base and East Base. Small scattered Cabins and a singular Cellar represent the sparse human footprint in this remote maritime environment, primarily used for subsistence or early surveying operations. The detailed hydrographic data, compiled from USC&GS charts, emphasizes the shifting nature of these low-lying islands and the critical importance of sheltered points like Milne Point for coastal navigation and resource exploration.