1955 Map of Point Lay

About this map

Point Lay sits on the edge of the Chukchi Sea, serving as a critical threshold between the mainland and the expansive Kasegaluk Lagoon. This mid-century survey illustrates a landscape dominated by complex hydrological networks, where the Kokolik River and Kukpowruk River meander toward the coast through numerous passes like Akunik Pass and Kukpowruk Pass. The isolation of the settlement is reinforced by the presence of the Point Lay Airstrip and Point Lay Landing Area, which provided essential links for the village. To the south, the topography transitions into the Amatusuk Hills and Kiklupiklak Hills, bordering the Beaufort Basin. Researchers will find localized details such as a Cem near the village and the coastal prominence of Cape Beaufort, marking the southern boundary of this remote Arctic coastal environment.