| Native name | Nabaesna’ / Naambia Niign Daacheeg |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census area | Copper River |
| State senator | Click Bishop (R) |
| State rep. | Mike Cronk (R) |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total | 416.51 km² |
| Area land | 415.06 km² |
| Area water | 1.45 km² |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 2 |
| Population density | 0.00 km² |
| Time zone | Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9) |
| Time zone (DST) | AKDT (UTC-8) |
| Elevation | 2979 ft |
| Coordinates | 62.37117°N 143.01388°W |
| FIPS code | 02-51960 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1406770[1] |
| Area total | 160.82 sq mi |
| Area land | 160.26 sq mi |
| Area water | 0.56 sq mi |
| Population density | 0.01 sq mi |
| Nocat | yes |
|---|---|
| Location | Base of White Mountain at end of Nabesna Road |
| Coordinates | 62.37171°N 143.01261°W |
| Built | 1926 |
| Builder | Carl F. Whitham |
| Added | April 26, 1979 |
| Area | 330.6 acres (133.8 ha) |
| Refnum | 79003755[2] |
| Designated other 1 | Alaska Heritage Resources Survey |
| Designated other1 name | Alaska Heritage Resources Survey |
| Designated other1 date | May 1, 1978 |
| Designated other1 color |
|
| Designated other1 abbr | AHRS |
| Designated other1 number | NAB-011 |
Nabesna (Nabaesna’ in Ahtna; Naambia Niign Daacheeg in Upper Tanana) is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in northern Copper River Census Area, Alaska, United States, in the northern part of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It lies along the Nabesna Road, a gravel road that connects it to the Tok Cut-Off at Slana.[3] Its elevation is 2,979 feet (908 m). Founded by and named for the Nabesna Mining Company, the community received a post office in 1909. Located at the base of White Mountain in the Wrangell Mountains, it lies west of the Nabesna River.[1] As of the 2020 census, Nabesna had a population of 2.[4]
Gold was discovered at White Mountain in 1891, and the site was first developed in the early 20th century. Through the efforts of Carl Whitham, the Nabesna Mining Company was formed in 1929, resulting in an expansion of the camp and the construction of Nabesna Road. The mine was closed during World War II, and only briefly reopened afterward, closing permanently after Whitham died in 1947. The location was used as a secret supply cache by the United States Army during the Cold War. The mine produced 2.5 short tons (2.3 t) of gold during its active period, as well as many tons of silver, copper, and lead.
The old mining camp, now a ghost town, and the mine were listed as the Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[5][2]
Demographics
Nabesna first appeared on the 1930 U.S. Census as an unincorporated mining village. It appeared again in 1940 and 1950. It did not appear again until 2010, when it was made a census-designated place (CDP).
The Nabesna mining community is not to be confused with Nabesna native village, which was located west across the Nabesna River from present-day Northway Village (CDP). It also appeared on the 1940 U.S. Census showing 85 residents. There is some confusion as to which Nabesna appeared on the 1960 U.S. Census (showing 41 residents). The native village was reported to have flooded and residents left around 1950. Nabesna was merged with Northway on the 1950 census as "Northway-Nabesna." Some residents had earlier relocated from the native village upriver to the abandoned Reeve Airfield, adjacent to the Nabesna mining community after World War II.[6] Owing to the 1960 U.S. Census map showing Nabesna native village still in existence adjacent to Northway, that is given credence, but further research may be needed due to confirm if this is not erroneous. Nothing remains of that native village as of the 2010s.[7]
Climate
Nabesna has a continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc).
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Copper River Census Area, Alaska
References
- ^ 1406770.
- ^
- ^ Rand McNally. The Road Atlas '08. Chicago: Rand McNally, 2008, p. 6.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "NRHP nomination for Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
- ^ Wilson, Lavell (1995). "Northway and Tanacross: Airports for the War Effort". Alaska Geographic. 22 (4): 72–76.
- ^ "Google Maps"