“The Rich History of Ninilchik Alaska.”

Real Life History
From North to south they are: Hayes, Spurr, Double Glacier, Redoubt, Iliamna, Augustine and Douglas and even more lie to the south. Augustine, Iliamna, Redoubt and Spurr are all active and are closely monitored. Occasionally one of them will erupt, sending volcanic ash into the sky.
Ninilchik was originally a Russian town dating back to the early 19th century. Several of the homes date from the 1800’s in “Old Ninilchik Village” including the first schoolhouse and the Russian Orthodox Church which still sits up on the hill overlooking Ninilchik Village and Cook Inlet. The town was settled by Russian-American Fur Company employees as a retirement community. Ninilchik was originally a Russian town dating back to the early 19th century. Several of the homes date from the 1800’s in “Old Ninilchik Village” including the first schoolhouse and the Russian Orthodox Church which still sits up on the hill overlooking Ninilchik Village and Cook Inlet. The town was settled by Russian-American Fur Company employees as a retirement community.








Today’s Ninilchik combines the rich heritage of its original families, homesteaders, retirees and other who love the small town community spirit, its rich resources and its beautiful scenery.
History Timeline
1776
English Captain James Cook sails up Kenai Bay (now Cook Inlet) in search of the Northwest Passage
1790’s
Russian Fur Traders Inhabit areas of the Peninsula.
1841
First buildings constructed in Ninilchik for the retirees of the Russian Fur Company.
1842
First Settlers arrive at Ninilchik but leave before winter.
1847
Grigorii and Mavra Kvasnikoff move their family here.
1851
Oskolkoff sons moves with parents to Ninilchik.
1867
U.S. purchases Alaska from Russia
1896
Russian Village School built.
1901
Russian Orthodox Church dedicated at current site on hill
1911
American teacher Alyce Anderson arrives to start English School.
1912
Mt. Katmai eruption brings thick layer of ash to Ninilchik.
1925
First Ninilchik Post Office.
1929
First Airplane lands in Ninilchik.
1949
Berman Packing Co. fish cannery begins operations here.
1950
Sterling Highway built through Ninilchik.
1951
New Ninilchik School built at current location.
1959
Alaska statehood. Local family fish traps abolished.
1964
Large Alaskan earthquake rocks Anchorage and Ninilchik.
2009
Mount Redoubt erupts again in March.