1955 Map of Flaxman Island

About this map

The Arctic National Wildlife Range dominates the coastal landscape of the North Slope in this mid-century survey, showing the intricate boundary between the Alaskan tundra and the ice-choked waters of the Arctic Ocean. Barrier island chains like the Stockton Islands and Maguire Islands provide a protective buffer for the mainland, creating sheltered passages such as Challenge Entrance and Mary Sachs Entrance. On the mainland, a solitary Tractor Trail cuts across the terrain, serving as the primary overland link between remote outposts like Konganevik and the Flaxman Aerodrome. Large braided river systems, including the Canning River and Staines River, illustrate the hydraulic patterns of the coastal plain before extensive modern development. The presence of coastal points like Pt Thomson and Brownlow Pt highlights early 20th-century exploration and naming conventions in this remote subarctic region.