1951 Map of Kotzebue C-1

About this map

The Baldwin Peninsula dominates this coastal landscape, separating the open waters of Kotzebue Sound from the sheltered reaches of Hotham Inlet. This 1951 aerial survey depicts a low-lying tundra environment characterized by a dense network of small lakes and ponds, typical of the permafrost-influenced terrain above the Arctic Circle. Near the southwestern tip of the peninsula at Cape Blossom, the presence of a Light serves as a critical navigational aid for vessels approaching from the sound. A solitary Cabin appears along the inland waterway of the inlet, suggesting a seasonal subsistence site or trapper's outpost. The Army Map Service notation that no roads or trails existed in this area at the time of the survey underscores the reliance on maritime and winter sled travel for navigating this remote segment of the Northwest Arctic region.