1955 Map of Wainwright

About this map

Wainwright stands as a central settlement along the coastline of the Chukchi Sea, surrounded by a landscape of lagoon systems and expansive river networks. This mid-century survey documents a transition in Arctic settlement, noting several abandoned sites such as Atanik, Kilimantavi, and Tolageak. The inland territory is dominated by the Naval Petroleum Reserve No 4, where a complex web of waterways including the Kuk River and Ivisaruk River drain into Wainwright Inlet. The map highlights remote infrastructure like the Icy Cape Tower and a Winter Trail that cuts across the permafrost terrain. From Icy Cape to the small mines near Kilich Pt, the geography illustrates the strategic and resource-focused interests of the federal government in the Alaskan Arctic during the Cold War era.