1955 Map of Shungnak D-3

About this map

The Kobuk River dominates this mid-1950s landscape, winding through a complex network of oxbows and wetlands in northern Alaska. The settlement of Shungnak is established on the northern bank, serving as a hub for the region alongside localized industry such as a Sawmill and the Shungnak Landing Strip (Aband). The terrain is defined by the convergence of several major tributaries, including the Shungnak River, the Pick River, and the Kuikcherk River, which cut through a mosaic of tundra and lakes like Tekekakrak Lake. This survey illustrates the reliance on river systems for transportation and subsistence during the mid-twentieth century, with isolated Cabin structures scattered along the shorelines of Garland Creek and Cosmos Creek. The topography transitions from low-lying swampy areas to higher ground as the drainage basins of Warren Creek and Wesley Creek extend toward the northern hills.