1955 Map of Harrison Bay B-5

About this map

The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska dominates this 1955 survey of the North Slope, revealing a landscape defined by an intricate network of lakes and tundra. The Kalikpik River winds through the central and southern portions of the sheet, providing a primary hydrological feature in an otherwise water-saturated environment. Human activity is sparse but specialized, evidenced by the presence of a Drill Hole and isolated Cabins that speak to the region's mid-century petroleum exploration efforts. Navigation across this remote terrain relied on the Winter Trail, a crucial seasonal route through the northern section. While larger settlements are absent, the map identifies small, localized sites like Leona, which likely served as temporary camps or survey points during the Defense Mapping Agency's photogrammetric projects.