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Ninilchik Alaska
Location and Climate
Ninilchik lies on the west coast of the Kenai Peninsula
on the Sterling Highway, 38 miles southwest of the City of
Kenai, and 188 road miles from Anchorage. Ninilchik is
located in the Homer Recording District. The area
encompasses 38 sq. miles of land and 37 sq. miles of water.
Winter temperatures range from 14 to 27; summer temperatures
vary from 45 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 24
inches.
History, Culture and Demographics
The Peninsula was historically used by Dena'ina Indians
for fur-farming and fishing. In 1847, Grigorii and Mavra
Kvasnikoff moved their large family from Kodiak to
Ninilchik. Grigorii was a Russian Orthodox missionary from
Moscow, and Mavra was a Russian-Sugpiaq from Kodiak - the
daughter of Efim Rastorguev, a Russian shipbuilder, and
Agrafena Petrovna, a Sugpiaq from Kodiak. The
Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church was
constructed in 1846. By 1880, the U.S. Census found 53
"Creoles" living in Ninilchik. They subsisted on hunting,
fur trapping, fishing, gardening and gold panning. All nine
original Native founding families of Ninilchik are
descendants of the Kvasnikoffs. In 1896, a school was built,
and in 1901, the Russian Orthodox Church was redesigned and
constructed at its current site. A post office was
established in 1925. The 1940s brought a number of
homesteaders to the area. In 1949, Berman Packing Company
began fish canning operations. In 1950, the Sterling Highway
had been completed through Ninilchik.
19.5% of the population are Alaska Natives. A federally
recognized tribe is located in the community. Ninilchik is a
traditional Native village, although the majority of the
population are non-Natives. The village association is
actively involved in local issues, and is a leading advocate
for the senior center. There is a strong Russian Orthodox
following, and an historical Church is located in
Ninilchik.
Economy and Transportation
Subsistence activities, commercial fishing, some
tourism, and timber harvests from Native lands occur in
Ninilchik. The economy of the surrounding Kenai area is
diverse: oil and gas processing, sawmills, commercial and
sport fishing, government, retail businesses and
tourism-related services provide employment. 48 residents
hold commercial fishing permits in Ninilchik.
The Sterling Highway provides access to Anchorage and
beyond. A State-owned 2,400' dirt/gravel airstrip is located
in Ninilchik. Homer also offers an airport, harbor/docking
facilities and State Ferry access. Boats are launched from
Deep Creek beach.
< Back to Alaska
Communities
Source: Department of Community & Economic
Development
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