The History of Port Heiden

Port Heiden is 499 miles southwest of Anchorage, at the mouth of the Meshik River on the north side of the Alaska Peninsula. It lies at approximately 56° 55' N Latitude, 158° 41' W Longitude (Sec. 27, T037S, R059W, Seward Meridian). The community is located in the Kvichak Recording District. The area encompasses 51 sq. miles of land and 1 sq. miles of water.

The old village of Meshik was located at the current site of Port Heiden. Influenza epidemics during the early 1900s forced residents to relocate to other villages. During World War II, Fort Morrow was built, and 5,000 personnel were stationed at the base. A school was established in the early 1950s and more people from surrounding villages moved to Port Heiden.

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