1955 Map of Flaxman Island

About this map

The Arctic National Wildlife Range dominates this mid-century survey of the North Slope coast, where the Canning River and Staines River flow into the Beaufort Sea. This era of Arctic exploration and early scientific survey is reflected in the mapping of remote outposts like Bullen and Konganevik, alongside the Flaxman Aerodrome on the barrier island system. The coastline is defined by a chain of islands including the Stockton Islands, Maguire Islands, and the namesake Flaxman Island, which protected early navigation through Mikkelsen Bay and Camden Bay. A notable Tractor Trail cuts across the tundra between the Tamayariak River and the coast, illustrating the overland transport methods used in this environment before permanent road infrastructure. The map provides a look at the hydrography of the region just before the discovery of oil nearby would fundamentally alter the logistics and accessibility of the Alaskan Arctic.