The History of Akiak

Akiak is located on the west bank of the Kuskokwim River, 42 air miles northeast of Bethel, on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. It lies at approximately 60° 55' N Latitude, 161° 13' W Longitude (Sec. 32, T010N, R067W, Seward Meridian). The community is located in the Bethel Recording District. The area encompasses 2 sq. miles of land and 1 sq. miles of water.

In 1880, the village of "Ackiagmute" had a population of 175. The name Akiak means "the other side," since this place was a crossing to the Yukon River basin during the winter for area Eskimos. The Akiak post office was established in 1916. A U.S. Public Health Service hospital was built in the 1920s.

To Community Histories Index Alaska DCCED Community Database Online

History and map graphic used with permission from the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development