1955 Map of Flaxman Island A-4

About this map

Flaxman Island stands as a narrow barrier between the Beaufort Sea and the mainland coast of Alaska’s North Slope. This mid-century survey documents the area as petroleum exploration and conservation efforts began to overlap in the high Arctic. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge boundary bisects the map, protecting the delta of the Canning River and its braided channels. Historical human activity is concentrated at Leffingwell Camp National Historical Site, which includes a cabin on the island’s southern shore. The transition from early exploration to industrial surveying is visible through scattered drill holes and a Tractor Trail that cuts across the permafrost landscape. The coastal geography is defined by shallow lagoons and points like Pt Thomson and Brownlow Pt, providing a baseline for the region before the impacts of modern infrastructure.