Visitor's Guide ldlife Summer & Winter Activities Area Resources
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Wildlife • Summer & Winter Activities • Area
tio n s • Resou
tt rac rce
A s
NOME
Visitor’s Guide
A publication of the www.nomenugget.net
Map VG 2021.qxp_Layout 1 6/17/21 4:59 PM Page 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
1. Mini Convention Center
2
To Icy View/
2. Nome Nugget Inn
Dexter Bypass Rd. 3. Nome Quickstop
Teller: 72 miles 4. Bering Sea Restaurant
5. Chainsaw Sculpture
Seward Peninsula Icy View: 1 mile 6. Maruskiya’s of Nome
A Nome-Beltz High School: 3 miles
A
97 Public Safety Building 8. Breakers Bar
9. Husky Restaurant
Taylor Police, Ambulance
96 12. Board of Trade
13. Polar Arms, Polar Cafe, Polar Bar
B B 14. U.S. Post Office
Teller 95 15. Wells Fargo, ATM
To Gold Hill 16. Dept of Fish & Game/State Office Bldg.
C C 17. Gold Coast Movie Theater/Subway
94 19. Covenant Church
21. City Hall
Council
Gr 22. XYZ Sr. Center
eg Norton Sound 23. Nome Nugget Newspaper
Kr
us Regional Hospital 24. National Park Service
ch Quyana Care
ek 26. BSNC Building (Old Federal Bldg.)
Av 65 Bering Strait Native Corp./Milano’s Pizzeria/
Richard e. Council Native Corp./GCI
Foster Bldg. 28. Pioneer Igloo No. 1
100 29. Alaska State Troopers
Nome 30. The Murre (gift shop)
D Rec Center Greg Kruschek Ave. D 31. Aurora Inn, Stampede Car Rentals
99 32. UAF Northwest Campus
33. East End Park
Patient E 34. TelAlaska
E Hostel 36. AT&T/Trinh’s Spa & Nails, Trinh’s Floral Shop
E. 6th Ave. E. 6th Ave. E. 6th Ave. 37. BSNC Building (Old Federal Building)
F 39. Bible Baptist Church
F 106 105 78
E. Nugget E. Nugget 40. Middle Beach
Anvil Nome Elementary 42. Nome Grown
Mountain Alley Alley
School G 43. Aurora Executive Suites
G Correctional 44. Betty Ann’s Beauty Salon
Bering Street / Nome -Teller Highway
85
Spokane St.
Center 45. Methodist Church
Division St.
67
E. D Street
W. 5th Ave. W. 5th Ave. E. 5th Ave. 86 46. Teen Center
H E. 5th Ave.
H 47. Assembly of God Church
104 64 66 80 84 E. 5th Ave.
63 48. Old St. Joseph Hall
E. E Street
Tobuk Alley E. Tobuk Alley E. Tobuk Alley 49. Anvil City Square
I 93
I 50. Sitnasuak & Solomon Native Corp.
61
62 60 51. Carquest Auto Parts, Nome Outfitters
E. L Street
E. M Street
E. K Street
E. 4th Ave E. 4th Ave 52. Kawerak Inc.
E. I Street
E. F Street
E. G Street
E. H Street
W. 4th Ave. 68
J W. 4th Ave. 59 103
. 77 E. N Street J 53. Mai’s Guest House
To Airport E. 4th Ave
Division St.
Greg Kruschek Ave.
54 55 57 58 76 E. 4th Ave. 87 54. Arctic Native Brotherhood Club
82 56 55. KICY Radio
K Warren Place E. 3rd Ave. K 56. Airport Pizza, Credit Union 1
e
Warren Plac 57. Hansons Eagle Quality Center/Safeway
51 Anvil City ace 83 E. 3rd Ave.
91 50 Square 70 69 E. King Pl East End 58. Rave‘n Cuts
90 53 52
L Seppala Drive 81 E. 3rd Ave. Park L 59. Sweet Dreams B&B
Steadman Street
101 49 King Place 88 33 60. Nome Volunteer Fire Department
75 Swanberg Dredge
47 30 74 61. Morgan’s Sales & Service
45 1 block east M 62. Morgan’s Garage
McLain Lane
M 20 e.
48 W. 3rd Av .
72 E. 3rd Ave. 63. Nome Professional Building: Dentist
Prospect Lane
W. 3rd Ave. E. 1st Ave
64. Our Savior Lutheran Church
E. K Street
46 76 s N 65. Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Moore Way
N 44 71 W. 2nd Ave.
eet e 12 mile
Carsten Way
E. 1st Ave. 66. Arctic Hair
Belmont Street
Harbor Front Str Cape Nom miles
75
92 Council
Mettler Way
W. 2nd Ave. 60 miles 67. Nome Eskimo Community
Campbell Way
42 35 36
Spokane St.
O 34 e. 32 ot Springs O 68. Munaqsri
W. D Street
43 39 E. 1st Av 31
W. E Street
Pilgrim H dhouse 22 miles
W. F Street
W. C Street
oa 69. St. Joseph Catholic Church
Bering St.
W. 1st. Ave. 29 Safety R miles
28 Lake 40 70. Nanuaq Manor
12 37 Salmon
22 P 71. Nazarene Church/Karmun Center/
Lanes Way
Federal Way
P Lomen Street
Lomen Street Nome Emergency Shelter
17
Division St.
23 24 Post Office t 72. KNOM Radio
19 21 Front Stree
Q Snake River Please note: there are no rest stops along the road Q 74. Nome Community Baptist
13 14 15 16 75. VFW
River Street 8 9 systems, except for Safety Roadhouse on the
6 76. Shalom Inn
1 2 3 4 5 Nome-Council Road.
R R 77. RJ’s Auto
78. Wilderness SkiDoo
Bering Sea 80. Presbyterian Church
S 81. Weeks Apartments
S 82. Noxapaga Suites
Nome Visitors Center 83. King Island Native Corp.
T 84. LLB LLC Bed & Breakfast
T 85. Nome Elementary School
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 86. Bering Sea B and B
Norton Sound Regional Hospital: 65-H10 Public Buildings/Misc. 87. Chateau de Cape Nome
Hotels Cab Companies Milano’s Pizzeria: 26-Q13 Morgan’s Sales&Service: 61-J9 Port of Nome: west ATMs: 88. Golden Scissors
Aurora Inn: 31-P17 Checker Cab: 443-5211 Nome Volunteer Fire Department: 60-J10 BSNC Bldg./Old Federal Bldg.: 26-Q13 Pingo’s: 20-M10 Nome Animal House: 94-C9 Swanberg Dredge: 1 mile east Anchor Tavern: 7-Q11 90. Builders Industrial Supply
91. Larry’s Auto
Nome Visitor’S Guide
Nome Nugget Inn: 2-R10 EZ Cab: 304-3000 Nome Police: 97-A13 City Hall: 21-Q11 Polar Cafe: 13-Q13 Nome Grown: 42-O7 Swimming Pool: Beltz High School Alaska Commercial: 95-B10
92. Norton Sound Seafood Products
Mr. Kab: 443-6000 State Troopers: 29-Q16 Department of Fish & Game: 16-Q15 Safety Roadhouse: Mile 22 Nome-Council Nome Quickstop: 3-Q11 Credit Union 1: 26-Q13 93. Cemetery
B&B’s/Inns/Rooms for Rent: Gold Coast Movie Theater: 17-Q16 Subway: 17-Q16 Nome Outfitters: 51-K9 Vehicle Rentals Hansons/Safeway: 57-K10 94. Nome Animal House
AKAU Alaska Gold & Resort: Old Churches Gas/Service Stations/Parts: Harbormaster: 101-L3 Aurora/Stampede: 31-P17 95. Alaska Commercial
Norton Sound Seafood Products: 92-N3 Wells Fargo: 15-R14 96. Grizzly Building Supply
Glacier Creek Road Assembly of God Church: 47-M9 Bonanza Express: 50-L10 Library: 100-D13 Saloons Grizzly Building Supply: 96-B10 Dredge No. 7 Inn: Icy View NSHC: 65-H10 97. Public Safety Building, Police, Ambulance
Bering Sea B&B: 86-H26 Bible Baptist Church: 39-P15 Carquest Auto Parts: 51-L10 Mini Convention Center: 1-R9 Arctic Native Brotherhood Club: 54-K7 Rave’n Cuts: 58-K11 99. Nome Recreation Center
Chateau de Cape Nome: 87-K27 Covenant Church: 19-Q10 Crowley Marine (Gas): 95-B10 Museum: 100-D13 Visitor Services 100. Richard Foster Building - Museum, Library
BOT Saloon: 12-Q12 TelAlaska: 34-P12 Western Union 101. Harbormaster
Dredge No. 7 Inn: Icy View Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Larry’s Auto: 91-L3 Nome Beltz High School: north Breakers Bar: 8-Q11 Terry’s: 104-H8 Chamber of Commerce: 4-Q11 Hansons/Safeway: 57-K10 103. Sew Far North
LLB LLC Bed & Breakfast: 84-H23 Saints: Icy View RJ’s Auto: 77-J17 Nome Elementary School: 85-G23 Polar Bar: 13-Q13 Trinh’s Spa & Nails: 36-P13 National Park Service: 24-Q11 104. Terry’s
Mai’s Guest House: 53-L7 Methodist Church: 45-M8 Northwest Campus UAF: 32-P18 Nome Visitors Center: 4-R11 105. Public Health
VFW: 75-M15 Trinh’s Floral Shop: 36-P13 106. Anvil Mountain Correctional Center
Nome Sweet Homes B&B: Dexter Nazarene Church/Karmun Center: Native Organizations Norton Sound Seafood Products: 92-N3 Sew Far North: 103-H9 Dexter Bypass: Nome Sweet Homes B&B
Pass 71-N11 Bering Strait Native Corp: 26-Q13 Post Office (USPS): 14-Q13 Shops/Stores Wilderness SkiDoo: 78-F16 Banks
Noxapaga Suites: 82-K8 Nome Community Baptist: 74-M14 Council Native Corp: 26-Q13 Recreation Center: 99-E16 Credit Union 1: 56-K10 Icy View:
Alaska Commercial: 95-B10 • Bed for a night B&B
Old Alaska Rooms: Icy View Our Savior Lutheran Church: 64-H10 Kawerak Inc.: 52-L8 Richard Foster Bldg: 100-D13 AT&T: 36-P13 Points of Interest Wells Fargo: 15-R14 • Old Alaska Rooms
Shalom Inn B&B: 76-N23 Presbyterian Church: 80-H18 King Island Native Corp.: 83-L22 Sitnasuak Building: 24-Q11 The Murre: 30-M10 Anvil City Square: 49-M10 • LDS Church
Solomon B&B: Near Solomon St. Joseph Catholic Church: 69-L14 Nome Eskimo Community: 67-H12 State Office Building: 16-Q15 • 7th Day Adventist
Betty Ann’s Beauty Salon: 44-N8 Anvil Mtn. Historical Site: north
Sunshine B&B and Tours: 12-P7 Seventh Day Adventist: Icy View Sitnasuak Native Corp.: 50-L10 Teen Center: 46-N9 Bonanza Express: 50-L10 Cemetery: 93-J3 Nome-Beltz Highway: Dredge No. 7 Inn
Sweet Dreams B& B: 59-J9 Solomon Native Corp.: 50-L10 XYZ Senior Citizen Center: 22-Q11 Bonanza Fuel: 50-L10 Chainsaw Sculpture: 5-R11
Emergency: Other:
Builders Industrial Supply: 90-L6 East End Park: 33-M29 • Nome Beltz High School
Apartments Anvil Mountain Correctional Center: Media Restaurants GCI: 26-Q13 Iditarod Arch: 49-L11
Aurora Executive Suites: 43-P7 106-A2 KICY Radio: 55-K7 Airport Pizza: 56-K10 Golden Scissors: 88-N26 Largest Gold Pan in US: 49-L10
Nanuaq Manor: 70-L12 Nome Professional Building: 63-I10 KNOM Radio: 72-M14 Bering Sea: 108-R11 Hanson’s Safeway: 57-K10 Middle Beach: 40-S7
Polar Arms: 13-R12 (Dentist) Nome Nugget Newspaper: 23-Q11 Bering Tea: 30-M10 Maruskiya’s: 6-Q11 Old St. Joseph Hall: 48-M10
Weeks Apartments: 81-L19 NEST (Nome Emergency Shelter Husky: 9-Q11 Morgan’s Garage: 62-J9 Pioneer Igloo No. 1: 28-P16
Team): 71-N11
Nome Visitor’S Guide 3
A Welcome to Nome from Mayor John Handeland
Dear Visitor, teams. “Three Lucky Swedes” Erik Lindblom, 1925 serum run, is well known for nects us to the Native village of Teller.
It is my great pleasure to welcome These veterinary professionals John Brynteson and Jafet Lindeberg, bringing lifesaving vaccinations during The other main routes, the Kougarok
you to Nome, Alaska! monitor Iditarod dogs before they start, who was Norwegian, are credited with the diphtheria epidemic. Other up- and Council Roads, offer historical
Whether you are fulfilling a life- during the race and after they finish. the Anvil Creek discovery, just a few standing citizens and some thugs, too, relics that will give you a sense of how
long dream by checking something off Most Iditarod dogs have more hours of miles from Nome proper. called Nome home. The 1960 movie hearty the early residents were, and the
your bucket list, or if it was only re- veterinary attention than most house Lindeberg also served as president “North to Alaska” starring John Wayne bonus will be the breathtaking views of
cently that you heard of the mystique pets, including my own. The Iditarod of their Pioneer Mining Company, with a theme song of the same name by rolling hills, clear streams and a large
of Nome and it was more spur of the has teamed up with various universities which was the founding company of Johnny Horton further instilled Nome variety of gorgeous wild tundra flow-
moment, we’re glad you are here. I in research conducted with the goal of what became known as Alaska Gold in people’s minds and hearts. ers. If time allows, you may wish to
hope you find your visit enjoyable and better understanding the sled dog and Company. AGC operated bucketline Today Nome is the “hub city” in rent a vehicle and get out of town.
a rewarding experience. to improve dog care and health. Visit dredges until 1994, hiring thousands of Western Alaska. Our airport is a feeder I am often asked why I’ve never
Nome is one of the best-known www.iditarod.com to see for yourself college students, village and local res- to smaller Native villages. Through left my birthplace and what it is that
cities in Alaska, in part because it is actual footage of yapping, happy and idents over the years on the dredges our port, which is ice-free for about makes me like Nome. Without hesita-
proud to be the official finish line for healthy Iditarod dogs chomping at the and in the thaw fields. Today onshore seven months, come supplies that can- tion the answer is simple: It’s the peo-
the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, which cel- bit to hit the trail. gold mining uses heavy equipment to not be transported easily by air: Cars, ple! Bar none, you will not find a
ebrates its 50th running in March 2022. Dog mushing in Nome is an activ- pre-classify the gold strata while the large equipment, building materials ar- collection of friendlier people than
The Iditarod trail is a 1,049-mile ity in both winter and summer. The ground is still frozen, stockpiling for rive on barges in Nome, with smaller Nomeites. Sure, we all have our quirks
course where canine athletes and their Nome Kennel Club, the world’s oldest summer processing through wash- vessel feeding a distribution network to but that in itself can make life much
human partners travel across the vast sled dog kennel club, founded in 1907, plants. surrounding communities. more interesting.
and beautiful Alaskan expanse. The is quite active and continues to organ- Both large- and small-scale off- We are seeing the effects of global Whether you are here for a day or
race routes through historic Alaska set- ize sled dog races around our area, as shore mining occurs by diving in to the warming in our area. The permafrost a week, watching birds, visiting family
tlements, across Alaska mountains and well as providing a network bringing Bering Sea waters, both in summer off which underlies much of our commu- or exploring, enjoy the wonderful peo-
wide-open spaces toward the coastline together the numerous mushers and floating dredges and in winter through nity is melting, temperatures are in- ple you will meet. To get a true sense
where a number of inhabited Native teams located in Nome. holes in the sea ice. The high price of creasing, and the ice-free port season is of the magnificence we value every
villages that serve as checkpoints wel- Mushing being a traditional way of gold has generated significant interest becoming longer. We have actively day, do try to venture some miles away.
come mushers, dogs, support and visi- transportation, it has its roots in Native by those hoping to strike it rich and has been working on the development of You then will understand why we
tors, before the final leg arriving under culture. also been fueled by Discovery Chan- the Arctic Deep Draft Port at Nome and say: “There’s No Place Like Nome!”
the “burled arch” in Nome. Native Alaskans traversed the coast- nel’s “Bering Sea Gold” reality show. look forward to the expansion of our Thank you for making Nome a part
The Iditarod was the brainchild of line pursing sea mammals, moose and If you’re interested in picking up a gold facilities that will serve the broader of your travel itinerary.
Joe Redington Sr., known as the “Fa- caribou, wild plants and berries that pan and trying your luck, the Nome strategic and defense activity as the John K. Handeland, Mayor
ther of the Iditarod.” Joe had two rea- continue to be a part of a subsistence Visitors Center can provide general de- Arctic becomes much more well-trav- Nome, Alaska
sons for organizing the long-distance lifestyle and diet. About 50 percent of tails on areas where recreational min- eled and ships navigate a broader area
sled dog race: To save the sled dog cul- the population identifies as Alaska Na- ing is permitted. While a fun activity, to take advantage of the Northwest
ture and the Alaskan huskies from ex- tive or Inupiaq, with some Siberian it is not an easy task, and we strongly Passage route over the North Pole.
tinction due to the introduction of snow Yupik and Yupik Eskimo. The friend- suggest you not depend on selling your
machines in Alaska, and to preserve the liness is the same, but there are variants gold for your return ticket home. While some see mining as not envi-
historic Iditarod Trail between Seward in language. Nome has had its share of famous ronmentally friendly, we are actually
and Nome. The trail traces the historic It was the discovery of gold on the individuals and publicity over the blessed with a plentiful by-product –
freight route to Nome, used for food beaches in 1898 that is credited with years. When asked about Alaska, gravel. From these stockpiles, villages
and staples, medical supplies, and the putting Nome on the map, and at the Nome is more likely to be identified throughout Alaska can construct roads,
delivery of the U.S. Mail, and com- time it was the biggest town in Alaska. than Juneau, our state capitol, or An- airports and suitable building plots.
memorates the part that sled dogs At one time the population had swelled chorage, our largest city. Jimmy Some of the best granite in the world is
played in the settlement of Alaska. to over 20,000 people; currently Doolittle was a primary grade student mined from Bering Straits Native Cor-
Hundreds of volunteers from around Nome’s population is about 3,700 peo- at Nome Public Schools. Wyatt Earp poration’s Cape Nome Rock Quarry.
the world spend a couple of weeks in ple. It grows annually in summer when arrived to join the Nome Gold Rush in Locally, the seawall protecting Front
the state and along the trail to make the hearty men and women still trek to the 1899 and “mined the miners” as they Street and the port causeway were built
race safe and successful. These include City of Golden Beaches to sift our visited his infamous Dexter Saloon. with Cape Nome Rock. This rock is
pilots who make up the Iditarod Air sands. A few years after the initial dis- Tex Rickard, boxing promoter and also exported to other communities in
Force, logistics teams and a host of ex- covery on the beach, gold was also dis- builder of the third incarnation of the state. And, here in Nome we are
perienced veterinarians who take leave covered inland at Anvil Creek, and the Madison Square Garden, operated a extremely fortunate to have around 350
from their practices to volunteer to pursuit of the precious metal has been competing saloon. Dog musher miles of well-maintained roads open John K. Handeland, Mayor
monitor health and care for the dog and is still an economic influence. The Leonard Seppala, a participant in the during summer months. One road con-
Welcome to Nome
Celebrating 50 years of Iditarod - March, 2022
Visit Nome
Home of world class bird watching, fishing and hunting.
Home to cultures going back more than 10,000 years.
Visit the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum
and the Katirvik Cultural Center in the Richard Foster Building.
www.nomealaska.org
4 Nome Visitor’S Guide
Welcome To Nome!
Quyaana Qairuasi (Inupiaq); Quyaana Tailuci (Central Yupik);
Quyakamsi Tagilghiisi (St. Lawrence Island Yupik)
W elcome to Siqnasuaq, denied the right to stake claims or
homeland to vibrant benefit from the “find” of the “Three
living cultures whose Lucky Swedes.” There is a beautiful
roots go back thou- memorial statue, funded by Nome’s
sands of years. Nome lies within the Native youth, on Anvil City Square
Ernest Gruening on the issue of
racism and gained support for a civil
rights bill for Alaska. Alberta, along
with Elizabeth Peratrovich, Tlingit of
South East Alaska, are heroines of
nomic wellbeing of community
members. Partners include Norton
Sound Health Corporation – a trib-
ally owned regional health corpora-
tion, providing all hospital services
ment for Council, based in Nome;
the Native Village of Solomon – the
tribal government for Solomon,
based in Nome. Local Alaska Na-
tive agencies work closely with fam-
Bering Strait Region, and is the re- commemorating Constantine and U.S. Civil Rights, equity and social for the region; Kawerak, Incorpo- ilies and local schools, providing
gional hub to three Alaska Native Gabriel. justice. rated – a tribally run non-profit or- cultural education and partnering in
cultures: the Inupiat, the Yupik and Indigenous Peoples have main- Siqnasuaq and the region’s com- ganization, providing the majority of delivery of prevention education,
the St. Lawrence Island Yupik peo- tained their values, knowledge, cul- munities have, for hundreds of gen- social services for the region; Bering youth leadership development and
ples. Each of the region’s 20 com- ture, and ways of being and erations, maintained a complex Straits Native Corporation – the re- continued involvement youth well-
munities maintain a knowing, despite having sustained system of kinship, oral history, trade gional for-profit Alaska Native ness initiatives.
government-to-government relation- community-wide injury at contact economy, and intimate knowledge of Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Quyaana once again, and wel-
ship with the United States as Tribal with colonial powers. Illnesses that the region's land, sea, natural re- corporation. Norton Sound Eco- come to Nome – we hope you enjoy
Nations, and have been known to oc- were common to European individu- sources and technologies necessary nomic Development Corporation – your stay! If you would like more in-
cupy their respective homelands and als were devastating to Alaska Native to thrive. Harvesting of animals, the region’s fisheries Community formation about Nome’s Native
customary subsistence use areas Peoples, and in some cases, entire plants, birds and sea life continues to Development Quota Program corpo- community, please see the following
within this region for several millen- communities perished. The 1900 be very important to all aspects of ration; Sitnasuak Native Corporation links:
nia. Nome flu epidemic killed 60 percent life for Alaska Native peoples. In the – Nome’s ANCSA Native village
Siqnasuaq is known among of all local Native people, and the spring, many local hunters can be corporation; Nome Eskimo Commu- www.kawerak.org
Alaska Native Peoples of the region, 1918 Spanish flu caused 75 percent seen in their skiffs, out on the ocean nity – the tribal government for www.nortonsoundhealth.org
as a historically permanent commu- of the population of nearby Wales to seeking bearded seal and walrus. Nome; King Island Native Commu- www.beringstraits.com
nity. In 2005 and 2006, the City of succumb. From the 1920s through In the summer, families are typi- nity – the tribal government for King www.nsedc.com
Nome undertook a port facility con- the late 1970s the Bureau of Indian cally out picking greens, gathering Island, based in Nome; Native Vil- www.snc.org
struction project. Two subterranean Affairs instituted an assimilation pol- eggs or fishing for salmon. lage of Council – the tribal govern- www.necalaska.org
homes, a hunting cache, and a trash icy and many Alaska Native children In the fall, it is time to hunt for
midden were found by construction were removed from their communi- moose and caribou, pick berries of
workers during excavation. The ties and sent to boarding schools all kinds, and harvest Beluga whales.
homes were radiocarbon dated as where use of Native languages was Winter provides sea ice, and many
250 to 400-years old. forbidden. families harvest crab and cod from
During the Gold Rush era, Alaska Although our region’s towns are holes in the ice.
Natives were excluded from staking currently experiencing manifesta- Harvesting is important to Alaska
claims until they were granted citi- tions of historical traumas, many Native existence, sustenance, spiritu-
zenship to the United States in 1924. communities are utilizing their cul- ality and community. As is also tra-
A study done in 2011 by Amber Lin- tures to heal. Healing approaches ditional ecological knowledge,
coln, PhD, stated, “By that time that are based on wellness within a passing of knowledge to children,
[1924], however, the resources from cultural context, with a focus on connection to nature, cultivation and
placer mining had largely been ex- strengthening cultural identity have caring for the environment. The late
Katirvik 5cx5.25_VG2021_Mukluk_v1.qxp_Layout
tracted and gold strikes had ceased.” 1 proven
5/14/21to2:10 PMmost
be the Page 1
effective. Inupiaq leader Eileen Maclean of
Dr. Lincoln further states “The his- Nome played an important role in Barrow, shared some important wis-
toric territorial and federal Jim Crow the U.S. Civil Rights movement. dom when she said, “Subsistence is
Laws that were exercised in Nome Nome events prompted strides in not about poverty, it is about
exemplify discrimination in the first Alaska State policy, nearly 20 years wealth…This wealth is expressed in
half of the 20th century. These laws before the U.S. Civil Rights Act of harvest and in the sharing and cele-
denied property, civic, and represen- 1964. In 1944, local Nome Inupiaq bration that result from the harvest.”
tational rights to minorities in gen- Alberta Schenck was arrested for sit- Today, Alaska Native agencies in
eral and Alaska Natives in ting in the “whites only” section of Nome work in partnership toward
particular.” In 1898, two Inupiaq the Nomarama Theater with her the common goals of cultural educa-
boys, Constantine Uparazuck and white date. Alberta wrote a passion- tion and preservation, language revi-
Gabriel Adams, showed three Scan- ate and compelling letter to The talization, perpetuation of cultural KING ISLAND DANCER— Indigenous Peoples have maintained their
dinavian prospectors the location of a Nome Nugget newspaper and a values, and working together toward values, knowledge, culture, and ways of being and knowing
gold deposit near Nome, and were telegram to then Territorial Governor improving the health, social and eco-
The Katirvik Cultural Center is a tribally owned and operated museum and cultural center dedicated to celebrating, sharing and
educating about the unique Indigenous cultures of the Bering Strait Region. The Center strives to inspire cooperative dialogue and
improve cultural awareness in its communities and visitors through cultural programming, collections in the arts and sciences and
humanities.
Katirvik means a gathering place. The Katirvik Cultural Center is located in the Richard Foster Building, along with the Carrie McClain
Memorial Museum and the Kegoayah Kozga Public Library. Please come gather with us at the Center, learn about the rich cultures
of the area, and join the Elders for stories, history and language over a cup of tea.
For more information about the KCC, please visit Kawerak’s website at: www.kawerak.org/katirvik.html or give us a call at 907-443-4340.
Nome Visitor’S Guide 5
Photos by Kate Persons
BLUETHROAT (left)— A male bluethroat with his catch outside of Nome. This prize find for birders nests in
willow thickets along drainages or near water and winters in southeast Asia.
BRISTLE THIGHED CURLEW— This rare and enigmatic bird, belonging to the sandpiper family, winters
on islands in the tropical South Pacific and travels to inland areas along the Nome roadsystem to nest.
Nome is a world class birding destination
By Carol Gales clock we had at home while I was plants, seeds, aquatic creatures, small mistake can take birds to unexpected trace for predators.
One June morning I awoke to a growing up. mammals—needed to nourish their places. Because of Nome’s location • Jaegers, murres and puffins live
message from a birding friend in the Such surprises are part of what young. The spring arrivals join a cou- near the Bering Strait, birds normally their entire lives at sea until it’s time
village of Shishmaref: “Are you makes observing birds along the ple dozen Arctic species that stay on found on the other side of the Inter- to come to land to nest and raise their
going to go see the common cuckoo Nome road system so fun and re- the peninsula all year long. This national Date Line can end up in our young.
at mile 10.5 on the Teller road?” warding. makes for an intriguing and diverse backyard—hence the common • Most shorebird parents head
I had no idea what a common Here are a few reasons bird roster of birds to look out for. cuckoo on the Teller Road. Birds of south three or four weeks before their
cuckoo was, nor how a person in watchers from around the world some species that live in Europe, young are fat and strong enough to
Shishmaref would know that one flock to Nome: Lookin’ good! Asia, Africa or on Pacific islands migrate—yet the young birds some-
was to be found along the Teller Spring birds arrive in Nome visit the Seward Peninsula annually how find their way from their Arctic
road. Getting to the birds dressed in their best, with males of to breed but don’t venture much fur- birthplace to join their folks on the
Turning to the internet, I learned Our road system, second biggest most species wearing their flashiest ther into North America. Such birds, wintering grounds.
that the bird had been reported on in the state, gives almost 300 miles plumage in an attempt to land the including the bluethroat, bristle- Birds are easy to spot, appear far
Facebook, and that common cuckoos of access to a diverse range of habi- mate of their choice. Birders visiting thighed curlew, Arctic loon, specta- more often than the bears, moose,
breed across Europe and Asia but sel- tats—from coastal tundra to rocky Nome marvel at the brilliant colors cled eider and northern wheatear, muskoxen, or other animals we seek
dom veer into North America. alpine ridges and everything in be- of familiar birds that, when seen in attract birders to Nome. during our drives, and add beauty
This was a special event! tween—that offer choice nesting the Lower 48 at other times of year, and mystery to the Nome landscape.
I drove to mile 10.5, skeptical that sites for many types of birds. look pretty plain. Our birds do cool things! If you’re driving our roads and not
the bird would still be there. I rolled • The Arctic tern is the long-dis- paying attention to the birds, you’re
down my window and peered So many species Location, location, location tance migration record holder, trav- missing out.
through the light drizzle. Over 100 species travel ancient While birds have an amazing abil- eling back and forth between its
“Cuckoo! Cuckoo!” migration routes to our area every ity to fly the exact same migration Arctic breeding grounds and Antarc- Carol Gales lived in Nome for 12
I laughed out loud—the bird spring to breed and raise their young. routes year after year, things can go tica every year. During its lifetime, years before learning to appreciate
sounded just like the German cuckoo They come for the food—insects, wrong. Storms, high winds, or just a an Arctic tern can fly 1.5 million the area’s avian wonders. She shares
miles on migration. her enthusiasm for all things Nome,
• Willow ptarmigan fly into snow- including the birds, through her
Some tips for birders: banks to sleep—and they fly in, guiding business, Roam Nome.
• Fill your gas tank before leaving town, and pack plenty of water and snacks. Your trip might extend further rather than walk, so as to leave no
and for more hours than you intend due to the long hours of daylight and abundance of birds.
• When you spot a must-see bird, take a moment to pull well to the side of the road before leaping out of your
vehicle. Don’t forget to shut the doors!
• Pull over periodically and get out of your vehicle just to look and listen. An area that seemed birdless from the
car could yield an amazing find.
• For details on where to seek specific species, consult eBird online or pick up a free copy of Alaska’s Nome
Area Wildlife Viewing Guide at the Nome Convention and Visitors Bureau. The publication can be downloaded
at www.tinyurl.com/nomewild
• To travel down the Cape Woolley Road, first get a permit from King Island Native Corporation
(907-443-5494).
• To travel into Pilgrim Hot Springs, first get a permit from Unaatuq, LLC
(www.pilgrimhotsprings.com/visitors-permit).
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North
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pingobakery-seafoodhouse.com
6 Nome Visitor’S Guide
Who discovered the Nome diggings?
I
t was in the early fall of price at $1,768 per troy ounce as of claims were staked.” Creek. The prospectors staked out themselves or to work for the opera-
1898 that two Swedes and June 2021. A second narrative of discovery of claims and returned to Golovnin Bay tors. A town was quickly built and
one Norwegian – guided by Trying to get the story of Nome’s gold in Nome involves a man by the on October 5.” when in 1899 the beach was found to
two Inupiaq youth -- struck beginnings straight, The Nome name of Ivan Brostol, who credited A third version of who found the carry gold in super richness and was
pay dirt at Anvil Creek, such Nugget newspaper in 1901 asked, Lindeberg’s partner with the discov- Nome diggings came from an undis- open to everyone, then came the del-
is the most widespread version of “Who discovered the Nome dig- ery. Brostol told the newspaper, “The closed source in the early Nome uge! Of the thousands who came,
Nome’s history. However, different gings?” credit of the discovery of gold in the Nugget. “The discovery of gold on few had any thought of making a
accounts exist as to who earned the The newspaper wrote that Jafet Nome mining district belongs to a Anvil and adjacent diggings was permanent home in Nome, and it was
honors of claiming the first glimpse Lindeberg, a Norwegian, claimed to Swede by the name of Erik O. Lind- originally made in 1898 by two not until conditions forced them to
of gold in the area. be the man discovering gold. blom.” According to Brostol, Lind- prospectors named Hultberg and do so that they constructed comfort-
After gold was discovered, news “Late in the summer of 1898 my blom jumped a whaler from San Blake. Hultberg came by way of able homes.
traveled fast, causing a stampede of partner, Mr. Brynteson, and Mr. Lin- Francisco when it landed at Port Golovnin Bay where he communi- “The spring of 1900 was memo-
gold miners rushing to what would deblom and myself left Golovnin Clarence. Tagging along with local cated his information to G.W. Price rable in the history of Seattle as
become the city of Nome. A year Bay and started to do some prospect- Inupiaq en route to Golovnin Bay, he representing Chas Lane of San Fran- being the beginning of that great rush
later, the first edition of The Nome ing. Hitherto we had had very poor found colors at the Sinuk River. cisco and others, among them Linde- of travel that has never since sub-
News—which would later become luck in our mining adventures,” Lin- “During this time Lindblom amused berg, Lindblom, Brynteson and sided. It is safe to say that more than
The Nome Nugget in 1901—ran on deberg told the newspaper. “It was himself by trying to find out if there Kjellman. They formed a party, went 20,000 people took passage for the
Monday, Oct. 9, 1899 the headline: on the sixth of September that we was gold on the river banks. The to Nome creeks and located all they new gold fields, and the summer of
“AT LEAST $4,000,000—Output of panned out our first gold dust on only implement at his disposal was a could, starting a great winter’s stam- 1900 saw the entire beach for miles
season’s work in Nome District. Of Anvil Creek. The first pan produced small frying pan...with this crude and pede for Nome.” covered with tents, which gave to it
this amount two million is from the $5. Sizing up the situation at a glance greasy miner’s tool he succeeded in Undisputed, however, is the stam- the name of the tented city.”
sea-beach, the remainder is from the we saw that we had made a strike in- finding some good colors, establish- pede that followed, laying a founda- Of the immense crowds of people
creeks.” The U.S. Mint has different deed. ing to his own satisfaction that gold tion for today’s city of Nome. some soon became discouraged at
numbers, estimating that by January “After a hurried consultation we was there. This was the 11th of July, “The little group of men who in not finding gold in such easy reach
1900, $2.6 million worth of gold had decided to return to Golovnin Bay 1898.” 1898 discovered gold in the Nome as anticipated.
been extracted from Nome. It was with all haste, stock ourselves out According to Brostol, Lindblom section and started to mine it had Three physicians, seven lawyers
undeniable that the area held a with provisions, get two other men returned with Jafet Lindeberg and landed on a barren, inhospitable and one real estate agent advertised
golden promise, and despite the and form a district in the new region. Erik Brynteson. “Lindblom knew beach, with four miles of sloppy wet their services in the first Nome
backbreaking work, adverse weather We lost no time in our return to there was gold at Snake River and in- tundra to cross to reach the dig- News, next to businesses selling
and virtually no infrastructure, thou- Golovnin Bay where we were joined duced two Swedes, Brynteson and gings,” wrote Will Chase in the book liquor and cigars, coaxing tired min-
sands flocked to the tent city later by Dr. Kittlesen and C.W. Price. Lindeberg to go with him…. On the Pioneers of Alaska. “When word ers to spend their day’s work on
called Nome. Having the requisite number to form 18th of September they found some spread of its richness, it was remark- “high-grade wines, liquors and ci-
The price of gold was at $20 an a district we left for Cape Nome coarse gold on what today is known able the number of people who gars.”
ounce in 1899, compared to today’s where a district was formed and as the Discovery Claim on Anvil rushed there to try for a location for
How Nome got its
Dredge Inn
name The Dredge No. 7 Inn is a new
state–of-the-art lodging in Nome, Alaska
with Historical turn-of-the Century ambiance.
Located in the City of Nome.
From the Feb. 22, 1906 edition satisfied that the name was given to
of The Nome Tri-Weekly Nugget: the cape in the cruise of one or the
“Cape Nome has been for years a other of these vessels. Thinking that
conspicuous part of Alaska. Many the name might have been that of one
persons who have read of the gold of the officers of the Herald or
dust found in the sands along the Plover, he wrote to the British admi-
beach have doubtless wondered how ralty for information. He has re-
it received its rather unusual name. ceived a reply that entirely clears up
Was the cape named in honor of the mystery.
some individual or was the word When the manuscript chart of that
Nome taken from the Eskimo or one region was being drawn on board the
of the Indian languages? The ques- frigate Herald, attention was called
tion interested a veteran geographer, to the fact that no name had been as-
Prof. George Davidson, of the Uni- signed to this point, and the query “?
versity of California, and he has Name” was place against it. There
traced the name back to a ludicrous was an opportunity one day to send a
blunder. The story illustrates the mail home, and in the hurry to com-
well-known fact that occasionally plete the chart for forwarding the in- Vehicles rentals available Call us for more information
geographic nomenclature originates terrogation point was linked in by a
in error.
Prof. Davidson searched every
rough draughtsman, and the writing
appeared as “C. Name.” The stroke
Save 10%, Book Online at www.dredge7inn.com 907-304-1270
available chart and narrative relating of the “a,” however, being very in-
to that region. He finally traced the distinct. It was interpreted by the ad-
name to Chart No. 1853 as being the miralty’s office, London, as Cape
first to use the name. The great atlas Nome. The cape has ever since ap-
of the North Pacific, which the Rus- peared on the maps with this name.”
WE BUY GOLD
sians had prepared in the previous However, the area known as
year, did not contain it. Nome had a name before western
Prof. Davidson then looked up the contact. Among Alaska Native peo-
tracks of the British Vessels Herald ples it was known as Siqnasuaq.
and Plover, which were engaged
from 1845 till 1851 searching for Sir
John Franklin in the waters of north-
western North America. He became
OXFORD BUYS PLACER GOLD FROM NOME DREDGERS,
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400 W 1st Avenue
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Nome Visitor’S Guide 7
Nome Highlights
Swanberg Dredge
Rocker Gulch
Swanberg’s Dredge still sits
and
Foster Building
The City of Nome’s public library,
Mushing Magazine the magazine of dog-powered adventure
placidly on a still pond in Rocker the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Mu-
Gulch. Swanberg Dredge was a self- seum and Katirvik, a Native cultural
contained diesel/electric-powered center, are housed in the newly built
gold recovery machine. Originally Foster Building at the end of Stead-
known as the Johnson-Pohl Dredge, man Street.
the dredge was purchased in San Carrie M. McLain Memorial
Francisco by the Gold Beach Dredg- Museum: A wide variety of artifacts,
ing Company and shipped to Nome pictures and remnants of the past are
in pieces in 1946, where it was re- exhibited in a state-of-the-art mu-
constructed. Due to the low price for seum. Exhibits include gold rush his-
gold immediately after World War II tory, a dog mushing and Iditarod
Run silent, run dogs
and ground conditions around the exhibit and Native culture.
dredge, the company failed to turn a Katirvik Cultural Center: Visit
profit. The local bank took posses- with the staff at the Katirvik Cultural
sion of the dredge in 1947 and it re- Center to celebrate, learn and share
Subscribe today
mained idle thereafter. It scooped in the rich culture and heritage of the
gravel with a 70-bucket digging lad- Bering Strait Region. The name
der bringing gravel on board, screen- Katirvik, meaning “Gathering Place”
ing and washing it, and embodies the intent of the center, to
amalgamating the gold with a mer- bring together not only people, but
cury process. Interpretive signs tell cultural events, language sharing op- Name:
the story of the site, the ship and the portunities, constructive social jus-
environs. tice dialogue and artifacts from
traditional lifestyles while celebrat- Address:
Anvil Mountain White Alice ing and honoring the region and its
Site people. Appropriately the most City: Postal Code:
Four stark radar reflectors inter- unique, important and defining fea-
rupt the smooth mountaintop ex- ture of the cultural center is the cen- Country:
panse of Anvil Mountain behind tral circular space, designed to
Nome. Part of the Distant Early emulate the look and feel of the tra-
Warning (DEW) system of Cold War ditional gathering place, the Email:
era surveillance of the Communist qasgi/qasrgi.
bloc, these massive antennas—now For information and opening Check Money Order Credit Card
still sentinels—are prominent re- hours call (907) 443-4340.
minders of a more jittery time in
American history. A short hike up a Visitor Information Center Visa/Mastercard: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Exp. Date: _ _ / _ _
dirt road leads to the site. Stop in for information and hand-
outs on Nome, view historic photos,
$26 (USA, 1-year subscription, 6 issues) - $35 (Canada, 1-year subscription, 6 issues)
Last Train to Nowhere near restaurant menus, etc., located at 301
Solomon Front Street across from City Hall in $47 (International, 1-year subscription, 6 issues) - $84 (International, 2-year subscription, 12 issues)
Certainly one of the most pictur- the gazebo building. Nome Visitors $48 (USA, 2-year subscriptions, 12 issues) - $63 (Canada, 2-year subscription, 12 issues)
esque — and most photographed— Center can be reached at (907) 443-
local landmarks is the Last Train to 6555 or by email Make checks and money orders payable to “Mushing Magazine” and send to:
Nowhere near Solomon. Time and visit@mynomealaska.com PO Box 1394, Nome, AK 99762
the harsh arctic environment have Subscribe online at www.mushing.com
ravaged the trains, and they lie in im- 300 miles of road
pressive ruins. Today, the Last Train With almost 300 miles of good
to Nowhere is preserved for the en- gravel roads crossing a wide variety
joyment and education of all to illus- of terrain, the Nome area is one of
trate a vital part of the Seward Alaska’s best-kept secrets for road-
Peninsula’s unique heritage. Inter- side wildlife viewing. Depending on
pretive signage tells the story of the the time of year, one has a reasonable
railroad, the trains, the adjacent ferry, chance of viewing musk oxen,
as well as the village of Solomon and moose, reindeer, grizzlies and a host
its relocation. A boardwalk allows of unusual migratory birds. Know
visitors to get a closer look without before you go
having to navigate the swampy tun- Please be respectful that local
dra that surrounds the site. people enjoy watching wildlife, too,
but they also rely on them as a source
Fort Davis of nutritious and affordable food.
Now the home to a subsistence Please don’t interfere with any hunt-
fishing camp, Fort Davis is the site ing activities.
of a Gold Rush era U.S. Army fort Please remember that much of
that provided the primary govern- land beyond the edge of the road is
ment presence in all of Northwest privately owned. When hiking into
Alaska around the turn of the 20th the backcountry make sure you
Century. The fort was dismantled in check on land status of your hike and
1918. After a fire destroyed half of ask the land owners for permission.
Nome in 1934 some buildings from Also, tell somebody where you are
Fort Davis were relocated to Nome,
including the Nome Nugget build-
going, which trail you intend to hike
and when you are expected to be EST. 1979
ing, which once was the Fort Davis back.
Guardhouse. Don’t stress the wildlife —or put
yourself at risk—by approaching too
Largest Gold Pan closely.
Take your photo next to the Carry binoculars to improve your
largest gold pan in the United States, ability to locate and enjoy watching
or with the statues of the Three our wildlife.
Lucky Swedes at Anvil City Square
located at Bering Street and Seppala
Road.
• REGULAR SCHEDULED PASSENGER/FREIGHT FLIGHTS BETWEEN
NOME, KOTZEBUE, UNALAKLEET AND THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES.
• AIRCRAFT AND HELICOPTER CHARTER SERVICES AVAILABLE.
• HELICOPTER FLIGHT SEEING AND REMOTE DROP OFFS AVAILABLE
WWW. BERINGAIR.COM • RESERVATIONS@BERINGAIR.COM • (907) 443-5464 • (800) 478-5422
The Last Train to Nowhere
8 Nome Visitor’S Guide
HERE COME THE BANK ROBBERS— Part of the Midnight Sun festivities is a staged Bank Robbery enactment.
Events Calendar
January teams arrive anywhere eight to 15 8&9 Ball Pool Tournament: throughout Nome. floats are awarded with Judge’s
Idita-Splash: a three-month days after their start in Anchorage. Three days of dart tournament ac- Midnight Sun Festival: A vari- Choice, Most Creative and Best
long challenge to log 1,049 hours The annual event attracts visitors tion—singles, doubles, open ety of activities are scheduled Bicycle awards.
in the pool or swim 1,049 laps, one from all over the world, and teams. around the longest day of the year Bank Hold-up: The re-enact-
for each mile of the Iditarod trail. Nomeites put on several events to Saint Patrick’s Day Parade: when there is nearly 24 hours of ment of an old-time gold rush era
Idita-Walk: 1,049 minutes of celebrate March, a.k.a. Iditarod On March 17, the Irish and the daylight. Events: The Gold Dust bank robbery—brought to you by
walking for humans and canines. month. (The Iditarod did not end in want-to be-Irish wear their green Dash, a four-mile run on East a host of Nome’s talented actors—
Nome Kennel Club dog races. Nome in 2021 due to COVID con- and march down Front Street at Beach; followed by the Midnight is always exciting for onlookers
cerns) noon and finish under the Iditarod Sun Parade starting at the Nome and a crowd favorite.
February Lonnie O’Connor Iditarod Arch. State Office building and the best The Rotary Club sponsored
Iron Dog Snowmachine Race: Basketball Classic: A basketball Nome Kennel Club 200-mile
Billed as the world’s longest, tournament with men’s, women’s Nome Council Sled Dog race: dog
toughest snowmobile race, the Iron and open teams from the region mushers mush from Nome to
Dog covers more than 2,400 miles. competing for one week in Nome. Council and back.
The race is scheduled to begin with (The tournament hasn’t been held
the Expedition Class starting on in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID- April
February 17, 2022 followed by a 19 concerns) Cannonball Run: The 150-
Pro Class start on February 19, Nome-Golovin Snowmachine mile snowmachine lap race begins
2022. Starting in Big Lake racers Race: This 200-mile snowmachine and ends on the frozen Bering Sea
speed across the Alaska Range to race from Nome to the village of in front of Nome.
the Yukon River and cut overland Golovin and back attracts racers
toward the Bering Sea coast before from across Alaska. May
reaching the halfway point in Bering Sea Ice Golf Classic: A Birding: As snow melts and the
Nome. Racers then turn toward challenge for even experienced sea ice moves out, flocks of migra-
Kotzebue then south to finish back golfers, the Bering Sea Ice Golf tory birds begin to arrive in the re-
in Big Lake. takes to the white ice in front of gion, making it a world class
Nome Kennel Club dog races. Nome and is a fundraising event destination for bird watching.
sponsored by the Bering Sea Lions
Club. June
March Iditarod Arts and Crafts Fair Stroke & Croak Triathlon:
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: and Art Show: Local artists, knit- This swim-bike-run event encour-
Beginning in Anchorage with a ters, pottery artists, sewers and ages Nomeites to come out of hi-
ceremonial start the first Saturday beaders showcase their art and bernation and get into shape.
of March, the Iditarod claims to be products in the finest art and craft CAMP Summercise program:
the longest and toughest sled dog fair in the region. The annual Summercise program
race in the world. The trail crosses Open Mic Night: During the for children begins June 8 and ends
the Alaska Range, the mighty Iditarod, the Nome Arts Council July 23.
Yukon, tundra and finally the invites visitors and locals alike to Lemonade Day: Kids become
windswept Bering Sea coast, with take to the stage to perform. entrepreneurs and sell lemonade,
Nome as its final destination. Dog cookies and other refreshments
Dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing
the culture, history, and artistry of Nome and the Bering Strait.
Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum
100 West 7th Avenue · PO Box 53 · Nome, AK 99762
DIVE IN— A popular activity is the annual Polar Bear Swim as part of Midnight Sun celebrations.
907-443-6630 · www.nomealaska.org
Nome Visitor’S Guide 9
•Events
Calendar
Polar Bear Swim: Brave
Nomeites and visitors hit the chilly
Bering Sea water for a quick dip.
Submersion of the whole body en-
titles the swimmer to a commemo-
rative certificate.
Nome River Raft Race: Folks
hit the road to the country as the
Bering Sea Lions Club Nome
River Raft race starts on mile 13 of
the Kougarok Road. Homemade
rafts are paddled almost five miles
downriver. While a few teams se-
riously race for the win, several
others lazily float and take every
opportunity to soak competitors
and spectators.
July
Anvil Mountain Run: This
Fourth of July, 12.5-mile run starts
at 8 a.m. on Front Street and takes
runners up to Anvil Mountain, ele-
vation 1,100 ft. and back to City
Hall.
July 4th Street Games: A pa-
rade precedes an afternoon filled
with foot races, bicycle competi-
tions, gunny sack races, shoe
scrambles, egg races and three- NOME RIVER RAFT RACE— Adventurous Nomeites take to the Nome River for the annual Raft Race.
legged hopping contests. High-
lights are free ice cream at the
Nome Volunteer Fire Department.
Flower Edibles Cartridges
Wyatt Earp Dexter Chal-
lenge: The challenge includes an
eight-mile run, four mile walk or
12-mile bike riude. Runners start
at Anvil City Square, walkers start
Extracts CBD Products
at Dexter Bypass and the bikers
leave Anvil City Square and ride to
Dexter via the Beam Road. All fin-
ish at Dexter.
August
Anvil Mountain 59’37” Chal-
lenge: Starting at the base of Anvil
Mountain, runners race uphill and
back down.
Nome Garden Tour: Begin-
ning at Anvil City Square, the tour
takes participants to gardens and
hidden garden treasures in and
around Nome.
September
Bathtub Race: At high noon on
Labor Day, this unusual event
takes racers on a dash down Front
Street. The unusual thing about it:
Five-member teams push, pull and
shove bathtubs and one member
must be in the tub with bubbles ap-
parent in the water.
Rubber Duck Race: Num-
bered rubber ducks are released in
the Snake River on Labor Day.
The first three ducks and their
owners claim a cash prize.
Wales Kingikmiut Dance Fes-
tival: Every Labor Day weekend
in Wales, Eskimo dance groups
from all over arrive for three days
and nights of dancing and cele-
brating.
Teller Cultural Festival: At the
end of September, Teller plays host
to Eskimo dancing and a feast of
salmon, seal meat and caribou for
its yearly cultural festival.
December
Christmas Extravaganza: The
annual musical and tree-lighting
ceremony ignites spirits to begin
the Christmas season. The tree is
lighted and local musicians pro-
vide tunes to spread the cheer.
Santa and a real reindeer pay their
yearly early to visit Nome for the Hours of Business:
ceremony.
Firemen’s Carnival: On the
Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. - 10 p.m.
first Saturday of December this an-
nual event held at the Rec Center
has the Nome Volunteer Fire De- Phone: (907) 443-6844
partment pulling out all stops to
entertain a huge crowd with games 605 W 2nd Ave — Nome, AK 99762
of chance, concession stands, Native Female Owned — Family Run
bingo, cakewalks and a rib dinner.
For more information on dates,
Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive.
times and contacts for local events, Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence.
go to www.visitnomealaska.com. There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana.
For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding.
10 Nome Visitor’S Guide
Nome Visitor’S Guide 11
WELCOME TO NOME— Mushers are enthusiastically welcomed at the end of the 1,000-mile trail in Nome.
Iditarod celebrates 50th anniversary in 2022
for the 1,000-plus mile adventure The race is an annual celebration away and the idea of a long-distance to the United States’ tallest peak De-
N omeites can look for-
ward to a few things
once March rolls
around.
The sun climbs higher in the sky,
that is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog
Race. As the canine athletes and the
mushers experience the trials, tribu-
lations and joys of the trail, Nomeites
are making the final preparations to
that commemorates the historic Idi-
tarod Trail and the sled dog. The set-
tling of Alaska could have not
happened without the sled dog as a
vital transportation and supply link
sled dog race was born. An excellent
book, Iditarod: The First Ten Years,
chronicles how the crazy idea of run-
ning dog teams from Anchorage to
Nome became Alaska’s most cher-
nali), into barren and icy sections on
the Southfork of the Kuskokwim,
onto long stretches on the mighty,
frozen Yukon and finally to top off a
harrowing journey, coming to the
finally giving off some warmth. The ensure the finish line is ready for in years past. The race had its origins ished event that each year draws Bering Sea coast with its notorious
daylight stretches noticeably longer their arrival. They’re also readying in the seventies when snow machines thousands of spectators to witness winds and ground storms. It takes a
each day. And the largest celebration town for the influx of visitors who began replacing dog teams as a mode dog teams start in Anchorage and special breed of person and dog to
of the year is heading for town. will fill every available room and of transportation. Musher Joe Red- then continue a remarkable journey run and finish this race.
On the first Sunday in March, Id- nearly every spare couch in Nome to ington Sr. decided that something through the Alaskan wilderness to
itarod mushers and their sled dog witness the finish and share in the had to be done to not let the noble Nome. The trail covers terrain that continued on page 12
teams depart for Nome from Willow revelry. breed of the Alaskan husky fade leads across the Alaska Range (home
Northern Logistics LLC
DBA Nome Discovery Tours
Handling shoreside logistics for cruise ships and pre formed groups visiting Nome.
RED LANTERN— The last musher off the trail is honored with the Red
Lantern award. Contact:
Robin@nomediscoverytours.com • Dave@nomediscoverytours.com12 Nome Visitor’S Guide
OFF THEY GO— The ceremonial start is held in Anchorage on the first
Saturday in March.
END OF THE TRAIL— Family members of mushers welcome their loved ones at the finish line in Nome.
•Iditarod
continued from page 11 volunteers who man the checkpoints in earnest. The front runners get to
as checkers or cleanup crews, the the Bering Sea coast the following
Iditarod mushers are dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of the weekend and usually the winner ar-
year-round to their kennels of sled race organization. rives in Nome the following Tues-
dogs and prepare all year for the run- BURLED ARCH— A musher thanks his lead dogs after finishing the
Since 1973 the race has been run day. race in 2018.
ning of the 1,000-mile race. every year and in 2022, Alaska is While visitors and locals alike
The organization of the Iditarod is collective looking forward to cele- mill about Front Street waiting for
also a year-round undertaking as im- brating the Iditarod’s 50th running. mushers and teams to reach the
mense logistical efforts need to be Although challenges abound — Burled Arch, a host of other activi-
taken to get 70 or 80 dog teams on sometimes due to the lack of snow in ties are underway throughout Nome,
the trail. The Iditarod is mostly critical sections of the trail, or like both indoors and out.
staffed by volunteers who travel last year, a global pandemic— race From mild to wild—morning,
from all over the world to give their organizers figure out a way to each noon and night—there is an event for
time to volunteer at the race. From year hold a race by adjusting the trail every taste. From golf on the sea ice
the Iditarod Air Force, small bush route. in front of town to a week-long bas-
planes flying supplies and the drop The Iditarod begins with a cere- ketball tournament at the recreation
bags of each musher to remote monial start in Anchorage on the first center—not to mention all the
checkpoints, to a cadre of volunteer Saturday of March. The re-start takes nightlife in the bars—there is plenty
veterinarians that see to the health of place the next day in Willow, when to do while waiting for mushers to
each dog in the race on the trail, to mushers and their teams hit the trail arrive.
Housing during the Iditarod
The finish of the Iditarod Trail with a Nome-style solution that has unable to secure a room in a hotel or MARUSKIYA’S OF NOME
Sled Dog Race is a very popular been tried and tested since the begin- B&B, and would like to be put on a NORTHWEST ALASKA NATIVE ART
event; therefore, hotels and B&B’s ning of the race: Nome residents will wait list for a room in someone’s pri-
tend to book up very early, even a open their private homes to people in vate home, please call the Visitors Ivory & Whalebone Carvings
year in advance. The race celebrates need of a place to stay during the Id- Center at (907) 443-6555, or send an Alaska Native Arts & Crafts
its 50th anniversary in 2022, and itarod, and the Visitors Center main- e-mail to visit@mynomealaska.com. Jade, Hematite,
larger crowds are expected to come tains a list of these individuals. Some Visitors Center staff cannot guaran-
to Nome. If you are unable to find a residents may rent an entire apart- tee being able to place you in a room, Gold & Ivory Jewelry
room, the Nome Convention and ment or home, and some may rent but they will do the best they can. “Nome” Tees & Sweats
Visitors Bureau may be able to help couch or floor space. So, if you are
(907) 443-2955 • (907) 443-5118 • Fax: (907) 443-2467
Box 895 • Nome, AK 99762
www.maruskiyas.com • Retail and Wholesale
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