1955 Map of Harrison Bay

About this map

Esook Trading Post and the village of Nuiqsut stand as primary landmarks along this stretch of the Beaufort Sea coast, where the vast National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska dominates the western interior. This mid-century survey, updated through the early 1980s, reveals a landscape defined by an intricate delta system where the Colville River and Kuparuk River meet the Arctic Ocean. Local topography is characterized by subtle features such as Kachemach Mound and Pikonik Mound, which rise above the surrounding wetlands and braided channels like Kupigruak Channel. The map documents early industrial and logistical footprints in the region, including a Landing Strip and an Oil Well, juxtaposed with traditional geographical markers like Atigaru Pt and the Eskimo Islands.