Nome, Alaska

Nome is located on the southern coast of the Seward Peninsula, approximately 540 air miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska. There are no roads connecting Nome to any major city in Alaska. Half of the 4,000 population are Native Alaskan Eskimo.
Nome has a unique combination of traditional Eskimo culture and a gold rush past. Rent a vehicle and tour the 300-plus miles of road system surrounding Nome. Drive to the Eskimo village of Teller, see the many remnants of Nome's gold rush past, and look for wildlife such as moose, polar bear, caribou, or musk oxen. Visitors can have a picnic at Salmon Lake Campground, go on a walking tour of Nome and visit the museum, shop for Native arts and crafts, or visit with the friendly residents.

Nome History:

The west coast of Alska was hunted by Inupiat from prehistoric times. However, there was no permanent settlement there until 1898, when three Swedes, Jafet Lindberg, Erik Lindblöm and John Brynteson, discovered gold on Anvil Creek. News reached the gold fields of the Klondike that winter. By 1899 Nome had a population of 10,000. It was not until gold was discovered in the beach sands in 1899 that news about the gold reached the lower United States. Thousands of people poured into Nome during the spring of 1900 aboard steamships from the ports of Seattle and San Francisco. By 1900, a tent city on the beaches and on the treeless coast reached 30 miles, from Cape Rodney to Cape Nome. During the period from 1900 – 1909 estimates of Nome's population reached as high as 20,000. The highest recorded population in of Nome, in the 1900 United States census, was 12,488. At this time, Nome was the largest city in the Alaska Territory.
In 1925, Nome was the destination of the famous Mercy Race to Nome, where dog sleds played a large part in transporting diphtheria serum through harsh conditions. In 1973, Nome became the ending point of the 1049-mile-long (1690 km) Iditarod dog sled race held in honor of the serum run.


Weather:
Nome's weather is dominated by the Bering Sea and can change quickly. In the summer, highs average in the mid-50s, with lows in the low to mid-40s. Highs may reach the mid-60s.
In the winter, the coldest three months are December through February, when the highs average about 13 degrees and the lows average a little below zero.
June will have the best combination of clear skies and warm temperatures. As the summer progresses, more rain can be expected.

Location:
Southern coast of Seward Peninsula facing Norton Sound; 530 air miles from Anchorage, 1.5 hours by jet.
Access:
Scheduled air service from Anchorage and Fairbanks. No roads into Nome.
Accomodations:
Two hotels, nine bed and breakfasts, seven restaurants.