The History of White Mountain

White Mountain is located on the west bank of the Fish River, near the head of Golovnin Lagoon, on the Seward Peninsula. It is 63 miles east of Nome. It lies at approximately 64° 41' N Latitude, 163° 24' W Longitude (Sec. 26, T009S, R024W, Kateel River Meridian). The community is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 3 sq. miles of land and 0 sq. miles of water.

The Eskimo fish camp of "Nutchirviq" was located here. The bountiful resources of both the Fish and Niukluk Rivers supported the area's Native populations. White Mountain grew after the influx of prospectors during the gold rush of 1900. The first structure was a warehouse built by the miner Charles Lane to store supplies for his claim in the Council District. It was the site of a government-subsidized orphanage, which became an industrial school in 1926. A post office was opened in 1932.


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