Nome Alaska

Nome Population: 3448

Nome Alaska Location and Climate
Nome was built along the Bering Sea, on the south coast of the Seward Peninsula, facing Norton Sound. It lies 539 air miles northwest of Anchorage, a 75-minute flight. It lies 102 miles south of the Arctic Circle, and 161 miles east of Russia. It lies at approximately 64.501110° North Latitude and -165.40639° West Longitude. (Sec. 26, T011S, R034W, Kateel River Meridian.) Nome is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 12.5 sq. miles of land and 9.1 sq. miles of water. January temperatures range from -3 to 11; July temperatures are typically 44 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 18 inches, including 56 inches of snowfall.

Nome Alaska History, Culture and Demographics
Malemiut, Kauweramiut and Unalikmiut Eskimos have occupied the Seward Peninsula historically, with a well-developed culture adapted to the environment. Around 1870 to 1880, the caribou declined on the Peninsula and the Eskimos changed their diets. Gold discoveries in the Nome area had been reported as far back as 1865 by Western Union surveyors seeking a route across Alaska and the Bering Sea. But it was a $1500-to-the-pan gold strike on tiny Anvil Creek in 1898 by three Scandinavians, Jafet Lindeberg, Erik Lindblom, and John Brynteson, that brought thousands of miners to the "Eldorado." Almost overnight an isolated stretch of tundra fronting the beach was transformed into a tent-and-log cabin city of 20,000 prospectors, gamblers, claim jumpers, saloon keepers, and prostitutes. The gold-bearing creeks had been almost completely staked, when some entrepreneur discovered the "golden sands of Nome." With nothing more than shovels, buckets, rockers and wheel barrows, thousands of idle miners descended upon the beaches. Two months later the golden sands had yielded one million dollars in gold (at $16 an ounce). A narrow-gauge railroad and telephone line from Nome to Anvil Creek was built in 1900. The City of Nome was formed in 1901. By 1902 the more easily reached claims were exhausted and large mining companies with better equipment took over the mining operations. Since the first strike on tiny Anvil Creek, Nome's gold fields have yielded $136 million. The gradual depletion of gold, a major influenza epidemic in 1918, the depression, and finally World War II, each influenced Nome's population. A disastrous fire in 1934 destroyed most of the City. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Nome Eskimo Community. 58.7% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. The population of Nome is a mixture of Inupiat Eskimos and non-Natives. Although many employment opportunities are available, subsistence activities are prevalent in the community. Former villagers from King Island also live in Nome. Nome is the finish line for the 1,100-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage, held each March. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,356 total housing units, and 172 were vacant. 39 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 1,544 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 10.96%, although 39.38% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $59,402, per capita income was $23,402, and 6.25% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Nome Alaska Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
A well at Moonlight Springs supplies water to the community, which is treated at the Snake River Power Plant and stored in a 50,000-gal. tank. A million-gallon back-up tank is also available. Water is heated and pumped to residences via a wooden utilidor; trucks also deliver water. Sewage is piped from most homes. Over 95% of residences currently have complete plumbing. Construction has begun on a six-phase upgrade -- to drill additional wells at Moonlight Springs, replace the water storage tank and pumping station, and to replace the 1960's-era wooden utilidor distribution system with buried Arctic piping. The City wants to develop a water source closer to New Town. Some homes still haul their own honeybuckets (service is not provided) and have water delivered to home tanks. Funds have been requested to expand water and sewer to these areas. Refuse collection services are provided by a contractor, hauled to a new landfill on Beam Road. Electricity is provided by Nome Joint Utility Systems. There are 4 schools located in the community, attended by 739 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Norton Sound Regional Hospital (443-3311). The hospital is a qualified Acute Care facility and Medevac Service. Long Term Care: Quyaana Care Center. Specialized Care: Norton Sound Community Mental Health Center; Turning Point - Saquigvik (transitional living 443-5577); XYZ Senior Center. Nome is classified as an a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 5A in the Norton Sound Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, coastal and airport access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Nome Volunteer Ambulance Dept (443-7824/5262); Norton Sound Health Corp. Medevac (443-3311).

Nome Alaska Economy and Transportation
Nome is the supply, service and transportation center of the Bering Strait region. Government services provide the majority of employment. 60 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Retail services, transportation, mining, medical and other businesses provide year-round income. Several small gold mines continue to provide some employment. NovaGold Resource Inc.'s new mine at Rock Creek, 7 miles north of Nome, may be producing by 2006. Subsistence activities contribute to the local diet. Nome is a regional center of transportation for surrounding villages. There are two State-owned airports. The Nome Airport has a two paved runways, one is 6,001' long and 150' wide, and the other is 5,576' by 150' wide. An $8.5 million airport improvement project is nearing completion. Scheduled jet flights are available, as well as charter and helicopter services. The City Field offers a 1,950' long by 110' wide gravel airstrip. The entire seaward side of the City is protected by a 3,350-foot-long sea wall of granite boulders. These huge rocks were trucked in from Cape Nome, 13 miles distant, at a cost of more than one million dollars. A port and berthing facilities accommodate vessels up to 18 feet of draft. Lighterage services distribute cargo to area communities. The Corps of Engineers is currently designing a new harbor channel entrance and breakwater. Local development groups and the City are funding harbor dredging, two seasonal floating docks, and a boat launch. Local roads lead to Teller, Council and the Kougarok River.

Source: State of Alaska, Department of Community and Economic Development.

Nome Alaska Links
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If you would like more information on Nome or plan to travel there, be sure to visit the Nome Chamber of Commerce web site. Another interesting site is www.nomegifts.com for useful links and some great photos of life in Nome Alaska.

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