Akutan • Atka • False Pass • Nelson Lagoon • Nikolski • St. George • Unalaska

Nikolski

Nikolski is located on Nikolski Bay, off the southwest end of Umnak Island, one of the Fox Islands. It lies 116 air miles west of Unalaska, and 900 air miles from Anchorage.

Nikolski is reputed by some to be the oldest continuously-occupied community in the world. People have been living in Nikolski for at least 8,000 years, before the pyramids were built, the Mayan calendar was invented, or the Chinese language was written.

In 1834, it was the site of sea otter hunting, and was recorded by the Russians as "Recheshnoe," which means "river." In 1920, a boom in fox farming occurred here. The Unangan became affluent enough to purchase a relatively large boat, the "Umnak Native," which was wrecked in 1933. A sheep ranch was established in 1926 as part of the Aleutian Livestock Company. There are still a few sheep, some fencing remnants and a barn left over as the remnants of this Sheep Ranch.

In June 1942, when the Japanese attacked Unalaska and seized Attu and Kiska, residents were evacuated to the Ketchikan area. Locals were allowed to return in 1944, but the exposure to the outside world brought about many changes in the traditional lifestyle and community attitudes. In the 1950s, the Air Force constructed a White Alice radar communication site here, which provided some jobs. It was abandoned in late 1977. The remnants of the site include some old roads.

Currently there are wild horses, cattle, reindeer and a few remaining sheep, but no bear on Nikolski. Unlike most areas in the Aleutians, Nikolski is comprised of rolling hills. The Aleutian winds are common here and the locals travel on the gravel roads with 4 wheel all terrain vehicles.

The local corporation is the Chaluka Corporation. The corporation operates a trailer/hotel for lodging in Nikolski. APICDA Joint Ventures also has a joint venture with Chaluka known as the Ugludax Lodge (Nikolski Adventures Lodge). The Ugludax Lodge has the distinction of being the western most lodge in North America. Nikolski is home to some of the world’s largest halibut. Other species of fish caught in the area include Dolly Varden, Sockeye, Pink, Chum and Silver salmon.

APICDA's Infrastructure Investments
-Construction of a vessel haul-out
-Installation of aircraft navigational aids

APICDA’S Business Development & Investments
-Construction and formation of the Ugludax Lodge, L.L.C.

APICDA’S Proposed 2006-2008 Projects
-Nikolski Mooring System
-Complete Nikolski Airport Improvements ($1.5 million in federal funds have already been secured for airport improvements)

Local Offices, Services & Businesses
To have your Nikolski business information listed, please email your request to webmaster@apicda.com

FYI - If you want to go anywhere other than the village proper you must obtain a land permit from Chaluka Corporation:
Contact George Bezezekoff at 907-576-243