1956 Map of Philip Smith Mountains

About this map

The Philip Smith Mountains dominate this 1956 survey of the northern Brooks Range, which includes updates through the early 1980s. This specific region captures a pivotal moment in Alaskan infrastructure, showing the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and infrastructure like Pump Station 3 and Pump Station 4 following the Sagavanirktok River corridor. The geography is defined by the Continental Divide, which separates waters flowing north to the Arctic Ocean from the headwaters of the Middle Fork Chandalar River. This sheet documents the establishment of major conservation boundaries, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Gates of the Arctic National Park. Remote outpost activity is evidenced by several remote airstrips, such as the Toolik Camp Landing Strip and Galbraith Lake Landing Strip, marking the intersection of scientific research, resource extraction, and wilderness preservation.