1955 Map of Wainwright D-2

About this map

The vast expanse of the Chukchi Sea dominates this mid-century maritime study, which was mapped by the Army Map Service using aerial photography. The coastline is defined by the sharp protrusion of Point Belcher, a significant geographical landmark on the North Slope. Because the entire area lies within Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4, the map serves as a record of a region under federal maritime and energy oversight during the Cold War era. A solitary Winter Trail parallels the shoreline, suggesting the seasonal transit routes necessary for traversing this coastal environment before modern infrastructure. The inclusion of hydrographic data from the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey provides depth soundings and offshore details essential for Arctic navigation during this period.