Page Contents for Nenana, Alaska

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Economy

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Alaska state capital is Juneau.
The population of Nenana is approximately 549 (2004), 378 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 190 (1990), 171 (2010).
The amount of land area in Nenana is 14.216 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Nenana is 6.0 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Nenana to Washington DC is 3737 miles.
The distance to the Alaska state capital is 700 miles. (as the crow flies)
Nenana is positioned 64.54 degrees north of the equator and 149.08 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Nenana per capita income is $ 17,334 (2000).
Nenana median income is $ 33,333 (2000).
Nenana average annual precipitation is 11.4 inches peryear.
Nenana average annual snowfall is 48.9 inches per year.

Location

in the Alaskan Interior, 55 road miles southwest of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway. It is on the south bank of the Tanana River, just east of the mouth of the Nenana River. It is about 75 miles north of Denali National Park.

Here is a map page for Nenana.
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Climate

cold and continental with wide variations in temperature throughout the year. Summer average highs range between 65 and 70. In winter the average low is well below 0. The overall temperature range runs from -69 to 98.
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History & History Related Items

Nenana was first known as Tortella. This is for an Indian word, Toghotthele, meaning mountain that parallels the river. The Tanana people lived here, interacting with the Russian and later other early explorers. AFter the Fairbanks gold discovery in 1902, many more people came to strike it rich. In 1903, a trading post and roadhouse was built by Jim Duke. Later, a school was built where many outlying villages sent their children to be educated. When the Alaska Railroad was built here in 1915, the population grew rapidly. The railroad depot was finished in 1923. Then US President, Warren Harding, drove in the golden spike at the end of the steel bridge over the Tanana River. Though transportation was no longer a problem, Nenana began an economic slump. In 1961, Clear Air Force Station was built nearby which brought many people to the area. A huge flood innundated the area in 1967, destroying most buildings. As part of the rebuilding effort, a new bridge was built over the Tanana River and replaced the River Ferry. In 1971, the George Parks Highway was completed, providing a direct route to Anchorage.
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Attractions

The Nenana Ice Classic
This annual event is a competition to guess the date and time when the Tanana River ice break-up will occur. It began in 1917 with the surveyors who came for the Alaska Railroad.

The community is 47.3% Alaska Native or part Native. The Nenana Native Association is a federally recognized tribe here. Most of the population of Nenana is Tanana Athabascan.

Some attractions for the area are the Alaska Railroad Museum, the Golden Railroad Spike Historic Park and Interpretive Center, the historical Episcopal Church, Iditarod dog kennels, and a replica of the sternwheeler, Nenana.

Don't miss this great picture page for Nenana.
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Economy & Industry

mainly government based with the city, tribe, school district and the Department of Transportation. River barge companies provide a goodly amount of employment during the summer months.
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Nenana City Government

City of Nenana
P.O. Box 70
Nenana, AK 99760
Phone 907-832-5441
Fax 907-832-5503

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Village Corporation
Toghotthele Corporation
P.O. Box 249
Nenana, AK 99760
Phone 907-832-5461
Fax 907-832-1077

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Village Council
Nenana Native Village
P.O. Box 356
Nenana, AK 99760
Phone 907-832-5461
Fax 907-832-1077

Nenana Chamber

Nenana Valley Chamber of Commerce

Nenana Organizations

Nenana Valley Chamber of Commerce

Nenana Libraries

Nenana Public Library
P.O. Box 40
Nenana, Alaska 99760
Phone: 907-832-5812

Nenana Schools

Nenana City Schools
P.O. Box 10
Nenana, AK 99760-0010
Phone 907-832-5464
Fax 907-832-5625 Nenana

Miscellany

The population of Nenana was:
1930 - 291
1990 - 393
2000 - 444
2004 - 549 (estimate)