Soldotna, Alaska (soul-DAHT-nuh)

Soldotna is located on the Kenai Peninsula about 150 highway miles south of Anchorage, at the junction of the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. It is approximately 60.48 degrees North Latitude and 151.05 degrees West Longitude.

Winter temperatures range from 6 to 24 F although our backyards thermometers often register much lower temperatures. Summers range from 45 to 66 F. Average annual precipitation is 17.4 inches.

Soldotna is on the banks of the Kenai River on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska and named after nearby Soldotna Creek. Three explanations exist for the origin of the word Soldotna: one, that it is derived from soldat, the Russian word for soldier; two, that it is derived from an Athabaskan word for "stream fork" and three, that it is derived from Tseldatna, the Athabaskan name of an herb.

The Peninsula has historically been the home to Kenaitze Indians, and was developed by non-Natives for its rich resources, including fish, timber and oil.

The first homesteaders were World War II veterans, given a 90-day preference over non-veterans in selecting and filing for property in 1947. That same year, the Sterling Highway right-of-way was constructed from Cooper Landing to Kenai. Soldotna was the site for the bridge crossing the Kenai River.

The location of present-day Soldotna was selected as the site for the highway's bridge crossing the Kenai River. A post office opened in 1949, with stores and a community center shortly thereafter.

Soldotna continued to develop because of its strategic location at the Sterling-Kenai Spur Highway junction. In 1957, oil was discovered in the Swanson River region, bringing new growth and development. Soldotna was incorporated as a city in 1960.

Today, there are many year round recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Summer activities include fishing, sightseeing, hiking etc. Winter activities include ice fishing, snow machining, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc.

Sources:
Alaska Community Database Community Information Summaries
Wikipedia

Kenai, Alaska (KEY-nigh)

Kenai is located about 60°33 N and 151°13W on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula.

Fronting Cook Inlet near the outlet of the Kenai River to the Cook Inlet of the Pacific Ocean, Kenai is approximately 65 air miles and 155 highway miles southwest of Anchorage via the Sterling Highway. The city's population is about 6,942 people.

Winter temperatures range from 4 to 22 F although local residents record temperatures much lower, i.e. -35. Summer temperatures vary from 46 to 65 F. Average annual precipitation is about 20 inches.

Kenai is named after the Kenai Peninsula. The name Kenai is probably derived from Kenayskaya, the Russian name for the Cook Inlet and translates to "flat, barren land". Or, it could refer to the Inuit word kenai (black bear).

Prior to Russian settlement, Kenai was a Dena'ina Athabascan Indian village. Russian fur traders first arrived in 1741. In 1791, a fortified Russian trading post, Fort St. Nicholas, was constructed for fur and fish trading. It was the second permanent Russian settlement in Alaska.

Before the arrival of the Russians, Kenai was a Dena'ina village called Shk'ituk't, which means "where we slide down." When Russian fur traders first arrived in 1741, about 1,000 Dena'ina lived in the village of Shk'ituk't, near the River. The traders called the people "Kenaitze," or "Kenai people."

In 1940, homesteads were opened in the area. The first dirt road from Anchorage was constructed in 1951; pavement would not arrive until 1956 with the construction of the Kenai Spur highway. In 1957, oil was discovered at Swanson River, 20 miles northeast of Kenai - the first major Alaska oil strike. The City was incorporated in 1960. In 1965, offshore oil discoveries in Cook Inlet fueled a period of rapid growth. Kenai has been a growing center for oil exploration, production and services since that time.

Surrounded by spectacular scenery, wildlife, and a rich history of native and Russian settlements and culture, Kenai has a lot to see.

Information source:
Alaska Community Database Community Information Summaries
Wikipedia

Kasilof, Alaska (kuh-SEE-loff)

Kasilof is located about 60°20'N and 151°14'W on the east side of the Cook Inlet of the Kenai Peninsula. Its current population is about 596.

Winter temperatures range from 14 to 27 F although our gardeners report much lower temperatures. Summer temperatures vary from 45 to 65 F. Average annual precipitation is about 24 inches.

Kasilof was an agricultural settlement of Kenaitze Indians, which grew around a stockade built by the Russian Kolomin of the Lebedef-Lastochkin Company. A partial excavation of the area in 1937 found 31 well-preserved houses.

The Russian leader of the Lebedef-Lastochkin Company, Kolomin, built a stockade at the location of Kasilof about 1786. It was called Saint George, probably after the name of one of the ships of the company. An agricultural settlement of of Kenaitze Indians grew around the stockade. The area came to be called Kasilof after the Kasilof River in the 1800s. A partial excavation of the area in 1937 found 31 well-preserved houses from the settlement.

The Sterling Highway provides a route to Anchorage. The State owns and operates the 2,165' long by 40' wide gravel airstrip, and there are three additional private airstrips in the vicinity. Kenai offers an airport and docking facilities. There is a boat launch at the Kasilof River.

Information source:
Alaska Community Database Community Information Summaries
Wikipedia

Nikiski, Alaska (nih-KISS-kee)

Nikiski is located on the Kenai Peninsula, 9 miles north of the City of Kenai, off of the Sterling Highway. It about 60°42N and 151°15'W. Average annual precipitation is 24 inches. Population is about 4357.

Traditionally it is in Kenaitze Indian territory. The area was homesteaded in the 1940s and grew with the discovery of oil on the Kenai Peninsula in 1957. By 1964, oil-related industries located here included Unocal, Phillips 66, Chevron and Tesoro.

The Sterling Highway provides access to Anchorage. Nearby Kenai offers an airport and docking facilities. The Port Nikiski docks service offshore drilling platforms. There are two private airstrips in the vicinity, one owned by Shell Oil Company.

Beside oil and fishing, there are a variety of things to do in both summer and winter. Wonderful scenery, hiking, cross camping, snowshoeing, and country skiing.

Source of Information:
Alaska Community Database Community Information Summaries
Wikipedia

Sterling, Alaska is located about 60°31'47 N and 150°47'52 W on the Sterling Highway at the junction of the Moose and Kenai Rivers.

Winter temperatures range from 4 to 22 although our gardeners have recorded much lower temperatures in their own back yards. Summer temperatures vary from 46 to 65 with average annual precipitation is 20 inches.

The town now known as Sterling was originally called Naptowne when it was first opened for settlement in 1947. However, the area--which had a few homesteaders by then--acquired a post office in 1954 which was given the designation of Sterling after the Sterling Highway that served the area.

The main industries around Sterling today are support for tourism and sport fishing, hunting, and summer influx of recreational enthusiasts. The economy of the Kenai area is diverse: oil and gas processing, timber, fishing, government, retail and tourism-related services provide employment.

The Kenai Peninsula has been the home of the Kenaitze Indians for hundreds of years. An archaeological site near Sterling, has been discovered at the Isaac Walton Campground, containing prehistoric Dena'ina house pits, showing that the area was inhabited in prehistoric times.

Sources of information:
Alaska Community Database Community Information Summaries
Wikipedia