1951 Map of Kotzebue D-2

About this map

Kotzebue serves as the focal point of this coastal survey, situated on the tip of the Baldwin Peninsula overlooking the expanse of Kotzebue Sound. The map documents a critical period of post-war aviation and communication infrastructure, highlighting the Ralph Wein Memorial Aerodrome, a CAA Station, and several radio and astronomical markers like VABM 157 Radio Tower. To the north, the seasonal character of the region is evident at Sheshalik on the Sheshalik Spit, a traditional site for subsistence activities. Local landmarks such as a Cem and a Reindeer Corral provide evidence of the community's domestic and economic life. The terrain is characterized by complex shorelines and coastal features including areas of Mud, reflecting the challenges of Arctic navigation and settlement in the early 1950s.