The History of Nanwalek

Nanwalek is located at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, 10 miles southwest of Seldovia and east of Port Graham. It lies at approximately 59° 21' N Latitude, 151° 55' W Longitude (Sec. 35, T009S, R016W, Seward Meridian). The community is located in the Seldovia Recording District. The area encompasses 8 sq. miles of land and 2 sq. miles of water.

The village was originally a Russian Post called Alexandrovsk. It was later called "Odinochka," meaning "a person living in solitude." The name English Bay was changed to Nanwalek by local consensus in 1991. Many of the current residents are of mixed Russian and Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) lineage. Villagers speak Sugtestun, a dialect of Eskimo similar to Yup'ik.

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