1955 Map of Wainwright

About this map

The Wainwright settlement and the vast coastal plains of the North Slope are documented in this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by its shifting shoreline and deep arctic hydrology. Much of the inland territory is designated as the Naval Petroleum Reserve No 4, where a complex network of waterways like the Kuk River and its numerous tributaries — including the Omalik River and Avalik River — drain toward the Chukchi Sea. Along the coast, the map identifies specific geographic points such as Icy Cape and Pt Belcher, alongside Mines located near the riverbanks. For local history, the labeling of Atanik and Tolageak as abandoned sites suggests the movement of indigenous communities, while the Winter Trail marks the essential seasonal travel routes across the frozen tundra and Kasegaluk Lagoon.