The History of Eyak

Eyak is on the Copper River highway, 5.5 miles southeast of Cordova, in the Malaspina Coastal Plain. It was annexed to the City of Cordova in 1992, and is the area considered to be the Native Village of Eyak. It lies at approximately 60° 31' N Latitude, 145° 36' W Longitude . The community is located in the Cordova Recording District. The area encompasses 13 sq. miles of land and 1 sq. miles of water.

Eyak was first reported in 1869 as "Hyacks," an Aleut village, and then in 1880 as "Ihiak." In 1899, Lt. Comdr. Moser, USN, reported it as a cannery called "Odiak." The area has historically been the home to Aleuts, with the addition of migrating Athabascan and Tlingit natives calling themselves Eyak. Alaska Natives of other descents also settled in the Cordova area. The rich resources of the area have attracted a non-Native population.

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