Afognak

History: The village of this name was destroyed by the March 27, 1964, earthquake; the residents were moved to Kodiak Island and were set up in a new village named Port Lions. The name derives from Afognak Island; reported in the 11th Census of 1890 (1893, p. 73-74) as "Afognak Village (Adognak)" consisting of a series of settlements extending in a row of dwellings, somewhat widely scattered, about three-fourths of a mile along the long, curving beach. In the first quarter of the nineteenth century, the name Rutkovsky village was applied by pensioned employees of the Russian American Company. Description: At the S end of Afognak Island 2.5 mi SE of Litnik Mountain, Kodiak Islands.

Afognak Island

Touristy Description: The second largest island in the Kodiak Archipelago, Afognak Island, with its forested landscape and protected coastal waters, is abundant in wildlife and a popular destination for fishing, wildlife viewing or quiet retreats. While located 25 miles north of the city of Kodiak in the Gulf of Alaska, the island is a mere one mile from Kodiak Island at the narrowest point. Its rugged topography spreads out over area of 698 miles, dense with old-growth Sitka spruce forests and excellent salmon streams.

For the most part, Afognak Island is pure Alaskan wilderness —home to Kodiak brown bear, Sitka black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk while orcas, gray whales, humpbacks, finbacks and minke populate its waters. Offshore, sea lions, seals and sea otters are common sights in the waters around Afognak while river otter, beaver, fox, marten and ermine make their home in the coastal habitats as well.

Land ownership on Afognak Island is divided mainly between the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska State Parks and various Alaska Native corporations. Afognak Island State Park includes much of the east and north sides of the island, totaling over 75,000 acres.

Originally a traditional Alutiiq village made up of a series of settlements along the beach, the community of Afognak was nearly destroyed by the Good Friday earthquake of 1964. A new community, now known as Port Lions, was constructed on the northeast coast of Kodiak Island, and the residents of Afognak relocated permanently by the end of the year.

Seasonal residents arrive during the summer for subsistence fishing and hunting or for logging. But for anglers, the main attraction is surely fishing with the numerous streams and lakes swimming with red, pink and silver salmon along with rainbow, steelhead and Dolly Varden. Offshore saltwater fishing is also very good for halibut, lingcod, sea bass, flounder, greenling and red snapper. Visitors can also enjoy wilderness hiking, beachcombing, and birding or rent one of four public cabins in either Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge or Afognak Island State Park as the ultimate escape into this pristine environment. There are also small logging camps and fishing lodges for those looking for a more remote experience.

Akhiok

History: Native name reported by Petroff in 1880 (10th Census, p. 30). This village may be the same as Oohaiack reported by Lisianski (1814, p. 169). The U.S. Post Office Department established the Alitak post office here in 1933 but discontinued it in 1945 (Ricks, 1965, p. 3). Description: on Akhiok Bay, W of Alitak Bay, at S end of Kodiak I.

Tourist Description: Tucked away in Alitak Bay and often overlooked, Akhiok is the most remote village on Kodiak Island. The Alutiiq community of 51 residents anchors the south end of the island, 98 miles southwest of the city of Kodiak. For adventurous travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences, Akhiok serves as a gateway to some of the most isolated areas of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

Originally called Kashukugniut and located at Humpy Cove, Akhiok was established as a sea otter hunting settlement by the Russians in the early 19th century and then moved to its present site in 1881. Notable community sites include the Russian Orthodox Church and the Protection of the Theotokos Chapel, which today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Commercial fishing and limited tourism are the basis of the village’s economy but Akhiok, like many small Native villages throughout Southwest Alaska, is a strong Orthodox faith-based community, which maintains a strong subsistence lifestyle to this day.

The south end of Kodiak Island offers world-class sportfishing in protected coves, bays and inlets off shore, rivers that host excellent sockeye and pink salmon runs and many inland lakes. The area is also rich in sea mammals and birds while the original village site on the Aliulik Peninsula has a high brown bear density and ancient Alutiiq petroglyphs are preserved near the present village.

Aleksashkina

History: Name published by Captain Tebenkov (1852, map 23), Imperial Russian Navy (IRN), as Seleniye Chiniak (Aleksashkina) or Chiniak Settlement (Aleksashkina). Lieutenant Sarichev (1826, map 16), Imperial Russian Navy (IRN), published the name Aleutskoye Aleksashkino Zhilo or the Aleut dwellings of Aleksashkino, but applied this name 2 miles to the southeast, at Lake Una. This is probably the village referred to by Ameigh and Chaffin (1962, p. 53) who said, the 157 natives living on Woody Island in a little village of approximately fifteen log cabins, made their living during the summer months as sea otter hunters***. See Woody Island. Description: at Icehouse point, on W coast of Woody I., 2 mi. E of Kodiak, Kodiak I

Aleneva

No info available. Located on USGS Afognak A-3 map.

Aleut Village

History: Published in 1943 by U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS). In 1849 the Russian American Company called this Aleutskoye Seleniye Kattagmyut or The Aleut village of Kattag (the ending myut is Eskimo for people). The same year, on Chart 1425, the Russian Hydrographic Dept. published the name Afognakskaya Odinochka meaning a separate part of Afognak. See Afognak. Description: 0.6 mi. N of Afognak, on S coast of Afognak I., Kodiak I.

Chiniak

Chiniak is an Alutiiq (Russian-Aleut) name first reported in 1888 by Lt. Comdr. Tanner with the US Navy of the steamer Albatross. It was named "Cape Greville" in 1778 by Capt. Cook. During the mid-1950s, an Air Force White Alice Radar Tracking Station was constructed in Chiniak. Prior to World War II, there were only trails from the Olds River to Chiniak. In 1942, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers surveyed the present road and were the architects of the rather complex military installations scattered throughout Chiniak. Actual construction of the entire complex was done by civilians working round-the-clock. According to Hank Eaton, who was in the Quarter Master Corps and responsible for the daily ration reports, there were between 7,500 and 8,000 Army Troops stationed at the Kodiak complex.

In the early 1950's, the Alaska Road Commission and the Bureau of Public Roads maintained a small camp just south of Frank Creek to help work the roads leading to Chiniak and Pasagshak. Towards the late 1960's, Smokey Stover was the foreman of the road camp and the crew included Jim Garoutte, Ray Monigold and Leigh Niblock.

On March 27, 1964 an 8.6 (Richter Scale) earthquake and tsunami hit Alaska and Kodiak. The N.E. end of Kodiak Island sank 5 1/2 feet. The Chiniak Road was virtually impassable. Naval families could not get to their recreation quonsets so the Tracking Station personnel took advantage of this and chartered sea planes to fly their families in and started occupying the quonsets.

In 1965, the U.S. Navy ordered all families out of the quonset area. Later that year, the village of Chiniak was born. The only families living on the road system at that time were Omar Stratman at Mile 30, Jake Blank and Clayton Parker at Mile 36; Dave Henley had workers living at his sawmill at Mile 36.2 (the current Lucas residence); Gale & Hope Carrithers at Mile 40; and Walt Dixon at Mile 42. The Carrither' s place was the first patented property on the Chiniak Road.

In 1969, the Hudson's Electric Company started serving the community. Dave Hudson owned and operated the business. He was assisted by Steve Alvine, wbo did much of the maintenance work. At it's peak, Hudson's Electric sold power to 55 customers. This service was discontinued on July 1, 1974.

In May 1970, the Cross Country Race from Miller Field to the Harbor Masters Building in Kodiak was added to tbe Kodiak King Crab Festival's activities. This first race was won by Chad Ogden, a high-school aged Chiniak resident. Chad died that summer and the race was subsequently named the Chad Ogden Memorial Race. Also that summer, Spahn's Snack Bar General Store and Gas Station opened for business at the Cliff House at Mile 42.

In August 1971, Chiniak's first permanent Grade School was born. Two double-wide trailers were installed across from where the current community library stands at Mile 41 with an enrollment of 35 students. Ivan Gilliam and Moonyeen Lindholm were among the first teachers. Since 1965, school had been conducted at the Little Green Scbool House located at Little Navy. Fred Zharoff, one of the first teachers, taught there for three years, followed by Sally McCall and Ivan Gilliam.

In September 1971, John Morse of the Chiniak Tracking Station started the first Boy Scout Troop in Chiniak with 9 local boys. The Chiniak Home and School Association held its first meeting and Donna O'Neil was elected the first Chairperson. The primary purpose of this association was to raise money to improve the condition and uses of the school. The Chiniak Home and School Association provided support for the school by supplying library books and carpeting for the school floor.

Later that Fall, school bus service was started. Jack Durham of Mile 35 was the first bus driver.

In November of 1971, the Chiniak Advisory School Board was formed with Bob Snyder, Mildred Walker and John Morse as members. The Chiniak Volunteer Fire Department was also formed, with 37 volunteers. Total equipment included an old boat trailer (to haul 30 lb. CO2 bottles), a siren mounted on a pole at Bob Spahn's. CB radios and personal vehicles. Dutch Myers was elected Chief, Bill Kirk Secretary/Treasurer, and Don Cable Training Officer.

In the summer of 1972, the Kalsin Bay Road Maintenance Station, operated by the State of Alaska, opened as a permanent camp. Ernie Simmons was the first resident operator of the camp. He was joined by Floyd Case in October. Up until this time, Emerald Maintenance Company serving the Tracking Station had voluntarily. helped to maintain the road from Mile 20.

In the Fall of 1972, Chiniak became a voting precinct. This was due largely to the efforts of Sharon Ogden, who had worked in Governor Egan's Office. The first voting Judges were Millie Walker, Leatress Kirk. and Vickey Mackey.

In 1973. Hopper's Liquor Store opened at Mile 42.

In March 1975, the U.S. Air Force announced that the Tracking Station would be closed. Most of the families were gone by fall, although a few stayed until the following summer, charged with the task of closing and inventorying the station, Closure of the Tracking Station resulted in approximately $5.5 million in annual savings to the Air Force. After the Air Force announcement that the Tracking Station would be closed, the Department of Defense declared the installation (buildings and property) excess to its needs. Of the residents that remained in Chiniak some became self-employed in seasonal construction and fishing industries and some obtained full-time jobs in the City of Kodiak. This is very similar to the current employment patterns that exist in Chiniak.

In 1982, the Chiniak Comprehensive Planning Committee, including the Pattersons, Stones, Penningtons, Lucases, Crowleys, and others, held its first meeting at the home of John and Judy Lucas. Subsequently, more than twelve planning meetings were held in order to develop the draft Chiniak Area Plan. It was submitted to the Borougb Assembly on April 7, 1983. The Assembly sent it back to the committee for further work and revision. No further action was taken.

On New Year's Eve, December 31, 1982, the Road's End Bar opened at the home of Ernie and Dotty Hopper, located at Mile 42.

On January 21, 1984, the dedication of the new Chiniak School facility took place.

In 1984, the Chiniak Public Library was established in the former school building. In the spring of 1985, the Chiniak Volunteer Emergency Medical System (EMS) was officially established. Teresa Stone and Deborah Walser are certified EMTs serving the area from Middle Bay to Chiniak including Pasagshak. They work in cooperation with the Kodiak Fire Department.


* Thanks to Chiniak resident, Bill Kirk, for his efforts in largely preparing this section of the Plan. Additional information was submitted by Vince Walser, other planning committee members, and obtained from Source! (bibliography)

* The Dictionary of Alaska Place Names (1971)

Eagle Harbor (historical)

History: Former Eskimo village reported in 1890 in the 11th Census (1893, p. 76), which stated "The native village on Eagle Harbor was named Orlova by the Russians, and erroneously renamed St. Orloff on our coast survey maps. It (Eagle Harbor) is now popularly known only by the name of the bay. The Kodiak Eskimo inhabiting this village number between 60 and 70." Petroff (1881, p. 32) wrote, "The next inhabited point * * * is Orlovsk village, situated on * * * Eagle Harbor. Here is a large settlement of 278 natives and creoles." This village was called "S(eleniye) Orlovsk," or "Orlovsk Settlement," by Captain Tebenkov (1852, map 23), Imperial Russian Navy (IRN), which was misinterpreted as "St. Orlovsk" in 1868 by USC&GS. Description: on Eagle Harbor, on S shore of Ugak Bay, E coast of Kodiak I.

Fort Abercrombie

Touristy Description: Kodiak's most popular state park is Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park, a military fort, complete with a pair of 8-inch guns. The fort was built during World War II in 1941 by the U.S. Army to protect Naval Air Station Kodiak and the Ft. Greely Garrison from a Japanese invasion that never came. The old fort sits majestically on the cliffs above scenic Monashka Bay and can be explored through guided and self-guided Historical Walking Tours. Just as interesting as the gun emplacements are the tidal pools found along the park's rocky shorelines, where an afternoon of searching for sea creatures can be spent. In early summer visitors can watch gray, humpback, and minke whales migrate through Whale Passage. Fort Abercrombie also has 13 campsites designed primarily for tent campers as trailers and motorhomes have difficulty maneuvering on the narrow, rustic roads to the park.

Ikolik (historical)

History: Name reported by Captain Lisianski (1814, p. 169), Imperial Russian Navy (IRN), as the settlement of Icolick.
Description: on S shore of Gurney Bay, 23 mi. SW of Karluk, on W coast of Kodiak I.

Kaguyak

History: Native name reported in 1880 as "Kaguiak" by Petroff (10th U.S. Census, p. 31). This village may be "Aleutsk Selen Kaniyagmyut," meaning "Aleut village of Kaniyagmyut;" reported by the Russian American Company in 1849. In 1868 USC&GS recorded the name "Alsentia". Description: at head of Kaguyak Bay, on SE coast of Kodiak I.

Kanatak

Eskimo village listed in the 11th Census in 1890 as having a population of 26. Because of oil drilling activity in the 1930's, its population increased t o 134 in 1940. When this activity ceased in the 1950's, the village was all but abandoned. It had a post office from 1922 to 1943 and from 1946 to 1954.
Description: at head of Portage Bay, on S coast of Alaska Peninsula, 53 mi. E of Ugashik, Aleutian Range

Karluk

History: Native name reported in 1805 by Captain Lisianski (1814, p. 186), Imperial Russian Navy (IRN), as "Carlook" and as "Karloock" (map p. 169). The Russian American Company in 1849 reported a village at or near this location called "Kunakakhvak." The Karluk post office was established here in 1892 (Ricks, 1965, p. 31). Description: population 129, on E coast of Kodiak I.

Touristy Description: Karluk is an Alutiiq village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle, which is located in a dramatic setting overlooking the mouth of the Karluk River and the Shelikof Strait and surrounded by the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. A community of 38 and one of only two villages on the west side of Kodiak Island, Karluk is an ideal entry point into the refuge where anglers can easily access some of the best salmon fishing in Alaska.

The Karluk River is believed to have supported the subsistence fishing of Alaska Natives for more than 7,000 years, based on archaeological findings. The rich runs of salmon led Russian traders to establish a trading post on the Karluk Lagoon in 1786 and within a few years tanneries, salteries and canneries were being built in the reputable fishing area.

Known for being the greatest sockeye salmon stream in the world, the Karluk River also supports king salmon, Dolly Varden, steelhead and rainbow trout fisheries as well. A few miles inland, Karluk Lake also has spectacular fishing.

Most visitors pass through Karluk on the way to fishing lodges or other adventures in adjacent Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, which covers two-thirds of Kodiak Island, is renowned for its fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities of the Kodiak brown bear. Males normally weigh in at more than 800 pounds but have been known to exceed 1,500 pounds. There are 2,300 of these giants on Kodiak Island, or about three times the number of brown bears in the rest of the country.

Karluk is a photographer’s delight. The influence of the Russian traders can still be seen at the Ascension of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Chapel, built in 1888, and designated as a national historic site. The church features an unusual half-onion dome, typically seen in Russian architecture, and a spectacular cliff-and-ocean backdrop. Also nearby the old town site is a rusting hodgepodge of abandoned cannery buildings.

Katmai (historical)

History: This once important Eskimo village was reported by von Krusenstern (1827, map 17), Imperial Russian Navy (IRN), as "Katmay." The 10th Census in 1880 lists a population of 218; 11th Census in 1890 lists 132. Katmai was abondoned following the 1912 eruption of Mount Katmai and the people were resettled in Perryville, near Mitrofania Bay. Description: site of a village near Katmai Bay, on S ocast of Alaska Peninsula, in Katmai National Monument 16 mi. S of Mount Katmai, Aleutian Range

Kiliuda (historical)

History: Eskimo name reported as "Killuden" in 1805 by Lisianski (1814, map facing p. 169). The name may be derived from the Aleut "Kiliak" (morning) and "Uda" (bay). Description: site of Eskimo village, at head of Boulder Bay, on SE coast of Kodiak I.; Kodiak I.

Kodiak

History: Local name derived from Kodiak Island and first published by the U.S. Post Office Department when the Kodiak post office was established in 1869 (Ricks 1965, p. 35). The post office was discontinued in 1875 and reestablished in 1888. The town was founded in 1792 by Alexander Baranov, Manager of the Shelikov (later the Russian American) Company from 1792 to 1808. He named it "Pavlovsk Gavan" or "Paul's Harbor." Baranov moved Shelikov's settlement at Three Saints Harbor to this location because "the land surrounding it was higher and drier * * * it was surrounded by the timber needed to build boats, buildings and better fortifications * * *." (Ameigh and Chaffin, 1962, p. 45). The 11th Census in 1880 (1893, p. 74) reported, "The most important permanent settlement in the Second district is Kadiak, designated on our charts as St. Paul. The place was selected as a central station and headquarters of the Russian fur-trading companies in the year 1789 on account of its good harbor and close Description: on NE coast of Kodiak Island.

Touristy Description: Stretching across 3,670 square miles and more than 100 miles long, Kodiak is Alaska's largest island and the second largest in the United States after the Big Island of Hawaii.

The pulse of Kodiak can be found along its waterfronts and in its boat harbors. The Alaska Marine Highway ferries pull in downtown, right next to the Kodiak Island Visitor Center (800-789-4782). Nearby is St. Paul Boat Harbor, the city’s largest. For the best view of vessels visitors follow the Harbor Walkway, a boardwalk above the docks that is home of the Kodiak Maritime Museum. More boats dock across the channel at St. Herman Harbor on Near Island and an afternoon on the docks can lead to friendly encounters with fishers and the chance to see catches unloaded or nets being repaired.

More than 100 miles of paved and gravel roads head from the city into the wilderness that surround Kodiak. Some of the roads are rough jeep tracks, manageable only by 4WD vehicles, but many can be driven to isolated stretches of beach, great fishing spots and outstanding coastal scenery and secluded campgrounds.

The island’s best-known park is the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. The 2,812-square-mile refuge encompasses two-thirds of Kodiak Island and includes a diverse habitat that ranges from rugged mountains and alpine meadows to wetlands, spruce forest and grassland. The refuge has outstanding fishing but the most popular activity is bear viewing. Everyone who comes to Kodiak wants a glimpse of the famed Kodiak brown bear. The refuge is home to 3,500 bears with males that normally weigh in at more than 800 pounds but have been known to exceed 1,500 pounds and stand more than 10 feet tall. The refuge is road less and bear viewing is either by a flightseeing tour or flying into a wilderness lodge. In Kodiak just about every air charter company offers a bear viewing flight that often includes water landing on a river or lake and watching bears feed on salmon nearby.

Kodiak is a renowned fishing destination who hooks almost as many anglers as fish with many returning year after year. Whether you fish from the road system, fly out to a remote lake or river, stay at one of many fishing lodges or opt for an ocean charter, Kodiak provides it all. You can angle for all five species of salmon, halibut, rockfish, cod and trout.

Only four miles from downtown lies Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park. The fort was built during World War II, and along with a campground features the Kodiak Military History Museum, located inside the Ready Ammo bunker. The historic ruins of the World War II coastal defense installation couples with the steep surf-pounded cliffs, deep spruce forests, wildflower-laden meadows and a lake containing trout offer the public a unique opportunity to learn of the events of World War II while enjoying the natural beauty of the park.

Once a struggling fishing port, World War II turned the island of Kodiak into a major staging area for the North Pacific operations. At one point Kodiak's population topped 25,000, with Ft. Abercrombie built as a defense post to protect the naval base constructed in 1939. Today the old naval base is the site of the country’s largest Coast Guard base. Kodiak’s famed cloudy weather spared it from a Japanese attack during the war but the city wasn’t so lucky during the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964, which leveled its downtown area and wiped out its fishing fleet. But Kodiak rebounded and today is among the top three fishing ports in the country and home to 650 boats, including the state's largest trawl, longline and crab vessels, and 12 shore-based processors.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

Touristy Description: The 1.9 million acre Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which covers the southern two-thirds of Kodiak Island, all of Ban and Uganik Islands and a small section of Afognak Island, is the chief stronghold of the Alaska brown bear. Established in 1941, Kodiak's scenery is magnificent and its diverse habitat ranges from rugged mountains and alpine meadows to wetlands, spruce forest and grassland. No place on the refuge is more than 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean where mountains rise 4,000 feet from a shoreline accented with fjord-like inlets.

The Kodiak bear, a subspecies of the brown bear, is the largest land carnivore in the world. Males normally weigh in at more than 800lb but have been known to exceed 1500lb. Females usually weigh in at 400lb to 600lb. An estimated 2300 bears reside in the refuge for one of the world's highest densities. From mid-July to mid-September the bears congregate at streams to gorge themselves on spawning salmon. The runs are so heavy that the bears often become selective, and many feast only on females and then eat only the belly portion containing the eggs.

The birdlife is also prolific in the refuge. More than 250 species of birds live upon or visit the refuge, while more than 1.5 million seabirds winter in near-shore waters surrounding Kodiak Island. Nesting within the refuge are 600 breeding pairs of eagles. Flowing out of the steep fjords and deep glacial valleys and into the sea are 117 salmon-bearing streams that support all five species of Pacific salmon and account for 65 percent of the total commercial salmon harvest in Kodiak.

The refuge is renowned for bear viewing and hunting for trophy brown bears while the Karluk River and the Ayakulik River offer world-class fishing opportunities for salmon and steelhead fishing. Other recreational opportunities include kayaking, rafting and camping.

The climate of Kodiak Island is dominated by a strong marine influence and characterized by moderately heavy precipitation, cool temperatures and cloudy days. This makes hypothermia a concern no matter when you are visiting.

Facilities
Within the city of Kodiak is the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center with an exhibit room that focuses primarily on the Kodiak brown bear along with a video room, a bookstore and a friendly staff that can assist in setting up trips into preserve. Scattered within the refuge are nine public-use cabins, none accessible by road. Most are reached by float plane with the closest ones to the city of Kodiak being Uganik Lake Cabin and Veikoda Bay Cabin. Also located within and around the refuge are several fishing lodges and bear-viewing camps.
The vast majority of visitors view the brown bears with bear-viewing flights that are offered by most charter air operators in Kodiak. The average tour is a four-hour trip that includes two hours on the ground photographing bears at a place like Frazer Lake, home of huge sockeye salmon runs where visitors often end up watching a half dozen bears feed at once.
Fees
There are no entry fees for Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge but there is a nightly fee for renting the public-use cabins. The cabins are reserved through a series of lotteries throughout the year. If all dates are not booked in the lottery, the open dates are booked by phone on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the refuge visitors center for more information. A free refuge permit is also required by anglers accessing the Karluk River via Koniag Easement Land. Accessibility: No roads enter the refuge, and no maintained trails lie within it. Access into the park is by charter plane or boat out of the city of Kodiak, and most of the refuge lies at least 25 air miles away. Kodiak Island is accessible by commercial airlines from Anchorage or ferry through the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Alaska Regional Map Services: Parks & Public Lands: Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

Kukak

History: Eskimo village called "Toujajak Village" by von Langsdorf (1814, v. 2, p. 235), and "Kukak," by Ivan Petroff in the 1880 U.S. census. Its population in 1880 was 37. There is a historical locality of the same name four miles to the NE. Description: on S shore of Kukak Bay, on S coast of Alaska Peninsula, in Katmai National Monument, 29 mi. NE of Mount Katmai, Aleutian Range

Larsen Bay

History: Name derived from Larsen Bay and reported in 1890 to be a native settlement "containing less than 20 people" in the 11th Census in 1890 (1893, p. 79). The native name was "Uyak." Description: population 72, near mouth of Larsen Bay, on W shore of Uyak Bay, on NW coast of Kodiak I.

Touristy Description: Perched deep inside Uyak Bay, a narrow fjord 60 miles southwest of the city of Kodiak, Larsen Bay is home to a mere 79 residents and a handful of renowned fishing lodges. With a scenic location near some of the best fishing grounds in the Kodiak Archipelago, it is no wonder that Larsen Bay is the center of commercial and sport fishing activity that lures anglers from around the world.

Larsen Bay is surrounded by the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, the 2,812-square-mile preserve that covers two-thirds of Kodiak Island. The refuge's diverse habitat ranges from rugged mountains and alpine meadows to wetlands, spruce forest and grassland, home to the refuge’s most noted resident, the Kodiak brown bear. Bear viewing is a popular activity in Larsen Bay, as is birding. With more than 200 species recorded, and 600 breeding pairs of eagles that nest within the refuge, there are opportunities to view birds as well as marine wildlife ranging from seals, sea lions and porpoises to sea otters, migrating whales and the ever-popular puffin. No roads enter the refuge, and no maintained trails lie within it, so the best way to view wildlife within the refuge is by chartered boat or plane. Fishing is the main interest of most visitors to Larsen Bay. Lodges maintain a charter fleet that provides saltwater fishing opportunities within the several protected bays and inlets near the village or on the open ocean waters for salmon, halibut, lingcod and rockfish. Rafts or even floatplanes are utilized for stream fishing of salmon, steelhead and Dolly Varden. Among the nearby stream fisheries is the Karluk River, world famous for its sockeye salmon runs as well as king salmon.

Named for Peter Larsen, an Unga Island furrier, hunter and guide, the community is called Uyak by the Aleut people who have resided here for 2,000 years. The village drew national attention in 1991 when the Smithsonian Institution returned the remains of 756 Alutiiq Natives. Interred in a mass grave, the burial marked the largest repatriation of Native remains ever conducted by the Smithsonian. Like many Kodiak communities, the Russian influence of fur traders in the late 1700s and early 1800s can also be seen throughout Larsen Bay in Russian Orthodox Churches and elsewhere.

McCord (historical)

History: The McCord post office was established in 1929 and moved to Old Harbor in 1931. Description: site of village, on E shore of McCord Bay, at head of Port Hobron, on N coast of Sitkalidak I., SE of Kodiak I.

Nunamiut (historical)

History: Former Eskimo village name meaning land people, published as Nunochogamute, population 160, in the 10th Census (1884, p. 11). Early Russian sources included this village in thier descriptions of the settlement 1.5 miles to the southeast established by Shelikov in 1784. See Three Saints Harbor, locality. Description: on W shore of Three Saints Bay, on SE coast of Kodiak I.

Old Harbor

History: Name reported in the 11th Census in 1890 (1893, p. 77) as "Old Harbor, named Staruigavan by the Russians and Nunamiut by the natives * * *. This settlement, containing now less than 100 people, was once an important station of the Russian Fur Company * * *." The old Harbor post office was established in 1931 (Ricks, 1965, p. 48). See Three Saints Harbor, locality. Description: population 193, on W shore of Sitakalidak Strait, 56 mi. SW of Kodiak, Kodiak I.

Tourist Description: Seventy miles southwest of the city of Kodiak, tucked away in the sheltered waters of Sitkalidak Strait, is Old Harbor, a lively little port for commercial and sport fishing activity. Home to both fishing lodges and charter boat operators who target king salmon in May and silver salmon in September and often produce the winning fish in local salmon derbies, charter captains often offer custom hunting, kayaking and wildlife adventures as the area is an excellent destination for viewing large sea mammal haul-outs and the archipelago's largest puffin colony, located on nearby Flat Island.

One of the most picturesque villages on Kodiak Island, the community of 193 residents is nestled on a narrow beach at the foot of a lush, green mountain while more dramatic peaks tower overhead to the northeast. Standing tall in the center of Old Harbor is Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church, the link to its rich past and the hub of community activity today. Three Saints Bay became the first Russian colony in Alaska but within four years a tsunami destroyed the settlement. Two more earthquakes struck before 1792 and the following year Alexander Baranov moved the trading post northeast to St. Paul Harbor, now known as Kodiak. A settlement was reestablished at Three Saints Harbor in 1884 and the Old Harbor post office was opened in 1931. The community endured more hardship when the Good Friday earthquake destroyed the community in 1964 with only two homes and the church surviving the resulting tsunami. The community has long since rebuilt on the same location.

The Alutiiq people had already lived in the area for more than 7,000 years when the Russians first landed on Kodiak Island in 1763. The abundance of sea otters attracted the attention of Siberian fur trader Grigorii Shelikhov who returned in 1784, sailing into nearby Three Saints Bay with 192 men and a cache of muskets and cannons. Shelikov’s attempts to ‘subdue’ the indigenous people resulted in a bloodbath in which more than 500 Alutiiq were massacred and an equal number drowned in an effort to escape.

Onihitsk (historical)

History: Name was recorded in 1805 by Lisianski (1814, map facing p. 169). Description: site of village on E end of Sitkalidak I., SE of Kodiak I.

Ouzinkie

History: Transliteration by Baker (1906, p. 657), of "Uzenkiy," from "uzkiy," meaning "very narrow," derived from the Russian name given to Narrow Strait, upon which the village is located. The name was reported as "Oozinkie, where there are 15 creoles." Peteroff (1881, p. 29) published the name "Selen(iye) Rus(kiy) i Kreolovy," meaning "village of Russians and croles." The name meaning "starling village" was published by Captain Tebenkov, Imperial Russian Navy (IRN) (1852, map 23). Description: On the W side of Spruce Island and on the N side of Narrow Strait, 10 mi NNW of Kodiak, Kodiak Island.

Touristy Description: Ouzinkie is located on the southwest shore of Spruce Island, 10 miles north of the city of Kodiak and is characterized by swampy areas, volcanic and sedimentary rock and an abundance of tall spruce trees. One of the oldest settlements of the archipelago, the village is separated from Kodiak Island by a strait named Uskiy, meaning ‘very narrow’ in Russian.

The Russian American Company founded Ouzinkie as a retirement community in the early 1800s. In the late 1800s, several canneries sprang up, reliant on the rich fishing grounds in the area. A series of disasters over the years including fire and a tsunami destroyed the canneries and were never replaced.

The Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity, built in 1898, is tucked in a cove of spruce trees. The unique and picturesque Russian Orthodox architecture make it a favorite among photographers. Ouzinkie was home to St. Herman, the first canonized Russian Orthodox saint in North America. St. Herman's chapel is located at Monks Lagoon and can be explored with the local Russian Orthodox Church reader who explains the history of the holy sites and old gravestones. Every year in early August there is an annual pilgrimage to St. Herman’s home site on Spruce Island.

Salmon and halibut fishing, beautiful scenery, wildlife, Native culture, Russian history and the view from the top of Mount St. Herman make Ouzinkie a perfect experience for the adventurous traveler.

Pestriak (historical)

History: The Russian American Company published the name "Sel(eniye) Pestryakova" meaning "Eider duck Settlement," for this locality in 1849. Description: site of village on SE coast of Spruce I., 7 mi. N of Kodiak, Kodiak Island

Port Hobron

Located on USGS Kodiak A-4 map. No information available.

Port Lions

History: The village was built in 1964 by the Lions International for the persons of Afognak, displaced by the March 27, 1964, earthquake that destoyed most of their village. Description: On the W side of Settler Cove near mouth of Kizhuyak Bay, at the N end of Kodiak Island, 18 mi. NW of Kodiak.

Touristy Description: Like many of the small island villages in the Kodiak Archipelago, Port Lions has excellent recreation opportunities for wildlife viewing, birding, fishing and more. The community of 200 residents is located in Settlers Cove at the north end of Kodiak Island and also happens to be a port-of-call for the Alaska Marine Highway, allowing for easy access to the island.

Port Lions was created after the tsunami from the Good Friday Earthquake destroyed the village of Afognak on Afognak Island to the north. Lions Club International assisted greatly in building the new community and relocating Afognak residents who eventually named their village in honor of the service group.

Within town, a causeway provides foot and bike access across Settler’s Cove while charter boat services offer access into the nearby coves and bays for wildlife viewing. Throughout the summer, the waters around Port Lions are an excellent place to spot whales, including humpbacks, fin and orcas as well as sea otters, sea lions and seals. At the right time of year, birders can easily spot hundreds of puffins, eagles and kittiwakes in the area.

Most visitors arrive at Port Lions to cast a line into the bountiful waters that surround it. The sheltered bays between Kodiak, Afognak, and Raspberry islands are home to some of the richest fisheries in Alaska. In May and June, trophy kings can be caught in the bays and in August, silvers begin to appear. Halibut, some topping 300 pounds, can be hooked almost anytime from May through September while fishing excursions in July often result in a mixed bag of kings, silvers and halibut. Nearby streams and rivers are also very productive with sockeye salmon in June, pink salmon and Dolly Varden in July and silver salmon in August.

Port O'Brien

History: Local name published in 1943 by USC&GS. Description: on E shore of Northeast Arm Uganik Bay, N coast of Kodiak I.

Port Wakefield

History: a reduction and saltery plant by this name was reported in 1952 by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Port William

History: Local name published by USC&GS in 1926. Description: on S coast of Shuyak I., 40 mi. N of Kodiak I.

Uyak

History: Eskimo village reported in 1805 as "Ooiatsk" by Captain Lisianski (1814, map facing p. 169). Listed in the 10th Census as "Ooiak," population 76, by Petroff (1884, p. 29); and in the 11th Census as "Uyak," population less than 20 (1893, p. 79). A post office, established in 1900, was discontinued in 1937 (Ricks, 1965, p. 68). Description: village, on W shore of Uyak Bay S of Harvester I., on NW coast of Kodiak I.

Womens Bay

Originally inhabited by homesteaders, the property in this area was transferred to the state and then to the Kodiak Island Borough. The community was named for the bay it overlooks. Due to its close proximity to Kodiak Station, many residents are Coast Guard families. A community association advocates for local concerns. According to Census 2010, there were 719 residents.

Womens Bay is on the west coast of Kodiak Island, 8 miles south of Kodiak. It lies at the foot of Old Womens Mountain, along a bay of the same name. The community lies at approximately 57.693600° North Latitude and -152.622910° West Longitude. (Sec. 04, T028S, R019W, Seward Meridian.) Womens Bay is located in the Kodiak Recording District. The climate of the Kodiak Islands is dominated by a strong marine influence. There is little or no freezing weather, moderate precipitation, and frequent cloud cover and fog. Severe storms are common from December through February. Annual precipitation averages 60 inches. January temperatures average 14 to 46 °F; July temperatures vary from 39 to 76 °F.