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1950 Map of Shishmaref

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Shishmaref
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Arctic Circle geography defines this 1950s-era study of the northern coast of the Seward Peninsula, where the Chukchi Sea meets the Arctic Ocean. The settlement of Shishmaref sits on Sarichef Island, acting as a gateway to the massive Shishmaref Inlet and the nearby Arctic Lagoon. This environment is characterized by complex hydrography, including the Serpentine River and Kugrupuk River, which drain into the tidal inlets.

A remote Winter Trail traverses the coastline near Cape Lowenstern, providing a vital overland connection in a landscape where water and ice dictate movement. Evidence of seasonal or specialized habitation appears at the Sinrazat Shelter Cabin and various cabins scattered along the shore. The map also records the Bering Strait and the Prince of Wales Shoal, essential navigation markers for this high-latitude maritime region during the mid-twentieth century.