1950 Map of Shishmaref A-4

About this map

The coastal interface of the Chukchi Sea and the Seward Peninsula is defined here by a long, narrow barrier spit separating the Arctic Ocean from the expansive Arctic Lagoon. This 1950s-era study, based on aerial photography from the turn of the decade, documents a landscape where seasonal movement was critical to survival. A Winter Trail (Approximate) runs the length of the barrier beach, providing a vital corridor between the sea and the mainland. The only named structure is the Sinrazat Shelter Cabin, situated on the lagoon side of the spit. Inland, the topography transitions into a complex of braided drainage systems, including Trout Creek, which flows into the lagoon near the Kugrupaga Inlet. The map illustrates the specialized infrastructure of the Alaskan Arctic, where isolated cabins and seasonal routes formed the primary network for travel and subsistence.