Current Population: 7 (2007 Estimated Population (not Certified))
Council is located at the terminus of the Nome/Council road, 60 miles northeast
of Nome. It lies on left bank of the Niukluk River. Council is located in the
Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 21.8 sq. miles of land and
0.3 sq. miles of water. Council has a continental climate with maritime influences
when Norton Sound is ice-free. Its inland location gives greater daily variation
in temperatures than nearby coastal communities. Temperatures range from -9 to
64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Historically, this was a fish camp for the Fish River Tribe, who originally lived 12 miles downstream. Council's history is synonymous with the gold rush period. Gold was first discovered in the area by Daniel B. Libby and party in 1897. By 1898, there were 50 log houses. The gold found at Ophir Creek was the second richest claim in the world. During the summers of 1897-99, the population of "Council City" was estimated at 15,000. It had a hotel, wooden boardwalks, a 20-bed hospital, a post office and numerous bars. The discovery of more gold at Nome in 1900 caused many of the boomers to leave Council. However, the population during 1910 was 686. The depletion of gold, the flu epidemic of 1918, the depression, and World War II all contributed to the decline of the population. By 1950, only nine people remained. The post office was closed in 1953. Today, the community is not occupied year-round.
The
information provided on this page was obtained from:
The
Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development, Community Database Online |
