Page 190 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

established by the Russians in 1791 at the mouth of
the Kenai River. After the US purchase of Alaska in
1867, the outpost was renamed Fort Kenay by the US
Army.
Fort Kenay was restored in 1967 to represent the
old military post. Included in the restoration are some
of the original buildings from 1868. Holy Assumption
of the Virgin Mary Church, the oldest standing
building in use, offers free tours. The church is listed
as a National Historic Landmark.
The settlement and growth of Kenai began with the
salmon fishing industry. Many on board the ships that
came in search of salmon decided to remain in Kenai.
In 1937, the Army Corps of Engineers built the Kenai
Aialik Glacier on Aialik Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park
airport opening up an increase of travel for the area. A
road from Seward was passable in 1948 and supplies
be the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, where charter services are available and popular destinations began to be trucked in by 1949.
you’ll find all the travel, accommodation, wildlife can be reached within minutes. The discovery of oil in 1957 and statehood in
and recreational information you need for your Kenai The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Captain 1959 brought an influx of new families and increased
Peninsula visit. Take some time to see their fascinating Cook State Recreation areas offer unlimited year employment opportunities. Kenai’s economic stability
cultural and natural history displays, including a large round opportunities for recreation: fishing, hiking, is maintained by a strong commercial fishing industry
display of local birds, permanent and traveling art camping, kayak/canoeing, wildlife viewing, that includes numerous processing plants within the
exhibits, movies and Kenai authentic apparel and gift swimming, photography, berry picking in summer Kenai area. The petroleum industry is also active.
shop. For all the latest fishing reports, regulations and and ice fishing in winter are among the more popular
noteworthy catches recently landed, check the “fish activities. Nikiski
corner” in the Center’s lobby. Special area events include the Kenai River Festival
The Kenai area offers a variety of activities. Visit and the Tustumena 200 Dog Sled Race (a qualifying Location: 24 miles north of Kenai on the
the Kenai Fine Arts Center or take a workshop at one race for the Iditarod). The Peninsula Winter Games Spur Highway. Population 5,000. Visitor
of the craft and art galleries located downtown. There are held in February; dog sled races, broom hockey, Information: North Peninsula Chamber, PO
are also self-guided tours of historic Old Town Kenai. ice sculpting and snow machine races are a few of the Box 8053, Nikiski, AK.
Kenai residents live in an outdoor recreational events comprising this exciting winter carnival.
paradise that attracts tourists from all over the world. Early history reveals that the area’s first inhabitants STERLING HWY 1
The peninsula is a haven for many diverse species on were Dena’ina Athabascan natives who lived in the
land and in the surrounding waters. The Kenai River lowlands of the middle and upper portions of Cook
sees tremendous salmon runs and is one of the most Inlet. Wildlife from both the land and sea provided an Kasilof
heavily fished and floated rivers in Alaska. abundance of food and economic resources for their Location: On the Sterling Hwy 1, 12 miles
Besides world-famous offshore halibut, twelve sustenance. These natives were called Kenaitze by the south of the town of Kenai, on the eastern shore
different species of fish can be caught in various lakes first Russians who came to the peninsula at the end of of Cook Inlet. There is a state owned gravel
and streams in the vicinity. Many of the better fishing the 18th century.
and hunting spots are located in roadless areas. Fly-in The trading post of Fort St. Nicholas was airstrip and a boat launch at the Kasilof River.
Population: 500.
Ninilchik
Located on the west coast of the Kenai Peninsula
on the Sterling Highway 1, 38 miles southwest
of the City of Kenai. Population: 883. Visitor
Information: Ninilchik Chamber; PO Box 39164
Ninilchik, AK 99639; Phone: (907) 567-3571;
Email: ninlchikchamber@gmail.com; Website:
www.ninilchikchamberofcommerce.com.

Ninilchik is a traditional Native village, although
the founding fathers were of Russian descent. Today
there is a strong Russian Orthodox following and an
historical church. Subsistence activities, commercial
fishing, tourism and timber harvests from Native lands
add to the local economy. Tourism-related services are
available for the traveler.
Anchor Point/Anchor River
Location: Sterling Highway 1 at the south end of
Kenai Peninsula adjacent to Cook Inlet; 15 miles
to Homer, 220 miles to Anchorage. Population:
2,500. Visitor Information: Anchor Point
Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 610, Anchor
Point, AK 99556; Phone: (907) 235-2600;
Website: www.anchorpointchamber.org.
Anchor Point is a small fishing community located
in a region that has everything: picturesque scenery, a
year round mild climate and an abundance of sea life in
one of the world’s richest marine environments.
Drawing visitors from around the world, Cook Inlet
is known for its excellent king salmon fishing in the
early summer and area rivers afford challenging angling
for Dolly Varden, steelhead trout and pink salmon.
Fresh halibut, shrimp, crabs, clams and mussels as well
as trophy fish are plentiful. Sea otters, sea lions, whales
and porpoises may be observed along the shores.

188