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A Brief History of Nenana
Early 1900's
Up until the early 1990's the Native Athabascan Village and Camp was located on the Northeast Section of the current townsite of Nenana. It was mostly referred to as Toghotthele Village or Tortella (a variant spelling).
1902
The Washington Alaska Military cable and Telegraph system was established from Valdez to Eagle and Eagle to Nome. It came right through Nenana and over Toghotthele hill.
1903
The first non-native settler, Jim Duke, constructed a roadhouse near where the present-day Alaska Railroad depot sits.
1905
St. Mark's Episcopal Mission was founded. The original church building is still in town. After it withstood the flood of 1967, it was relocated to the corner of Market and Front Street.
1916
Nenana townsite surveyed and lots auctioned to the public. 344 lots were sold for $135,525 in one day.
1917
Nenana becomes a boom town for over a year. Official start of the now Century old tradition of the Nenana Ice Classic.
1918
Flood in Nenana
1921
Nenana incorporated as a city.
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