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1955 Map of Wainwright C-2

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Wainwright C-2
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

The coastal village of Wainwright anchors this 1955 survey of the Arctic shoreline, situated on a narrow spit of land between the Chukchi Sea and Wainwright Inlet. The landscape is a intricate network of tundra ponds and braided waterways within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, where the Kuk River and Sinaruruk River meet the coast. Local geography is marked by essential subsistence landmarks including Tupkak Bar, Point Collie, and Karmuk Point.

Tracing the coastline reveals the importance of seasonal travel and light infrastructure in this era, from a Winter Trail stretching along the shore to a local Landing Strip and Military Reservation. Named locations like Akavat, Ikpilgok, and Dublin indicate historical points of activity or habitation along the rivers. This map provides a detailed view of the North Slope's hydrography and traditional named sites before more modern developments altered the local character.