Tanana Photo Gallery by Henk Binnendijk at pbase.com

Tanana

Tanana is accessible by air and river transportation. It is located about two miles west of the junction of the Tanana and Yukon Rivers,
130 air miles west of Fairbanks. It was a traditional trading settlement for Koyukon and Tanana Athabascans long before European contact.
The City of Tanana (population: approximately 244 in the year 2015, almost 80% Native Americans) was incorporated in 1961.
It maintains 32 miles of local roads, and operates the State-owned Ralph M. Calhoun Memorial Airport.
Cars, trucks, snowmachines, ATVs and riverboats are used for local transportation.
People are friendly but it's not all that easy for visitors to really get to know Tanana.
Strangers stand out and a room for the night is hard to find (and expensive).
The sale of alcohol is restricted.

Alternative Tanana site: https://tinyurl.com/yad5nsj5

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comment

Helen Andon Stafford		27-Apr-2017 17:14
This is Helen Andon Stafford, (formerly known as "Twinkle") I was a close friend of Lucy Edwards and always very, very fond of Judy Edwards Jones. I left Tanana to go to a boarding school for high school have not been able to live in Tanana since, as my career has been based in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Denver, Phoenix. However, I return home as often as I am able and maintain close family ties. Regarding the basket, you will need to post a photo. The initials of SK are not helpful, especially with a date of 1920. There are very few elders left from that era. My mother, Helen Peters, was born in 1929 and she is one of the few Tanana Elders remaining. If she saw the basket, it might trigger some memories, but no guarantees. Email the photo to bobbiechloe@hotmail.com.

MARTY YASEEN		09-Apr-2017 21:39
I recently bought a very fine basket that I believe is Tanana in origin. It is a large basket - 11-3/4" tall x 10-1/2" at the mouth. It is beautifully decorated with a circle of 12 women and beneath them appears to be stylized representations of flocks of water birds and seals sticking their heads out of the water. I believe it is Tanana because I have found in researching the basket that the Tanana migrated to the coast and adopted many Eskimo hunting and fishing techniques. On the bottom of the basket the initials 'SK' have been woven into the basket. Gene Quintana, a highly knowledgeable Native Arts dealer, tells me the basket dates from about 1920. Perhaps there is someone still alive among the Tanana who may recognize the 'SJ' initials. If I receive an e-mail from someone, I can attach photos of the basket. Any knowledge that anyone can share with me will be greatly appreciated.

Tim Jones		27-Jan-2017 16:39
For Cindy Allen, post 30 aug 2012. We are related. My mom was Judy Edwards. After the fire she married Curtis' friend and fellow Episcopal priest, Bob Jones. I guess you are Cousin Cindy whom I have not seen since the 70s If this reaches you "hello'

Ron and Katie Sisco		19-Oct-2016 14:49
We were newly-weds and arrived in Tanana January 1, 1963. The Jensens, missionaries with Arctic Missions, invited us to come to Tanana to help them with the work at the Chapel. However, Mrs Jensen became very ill and they had to leave suddenly. Katie and I were on our own except for a great gentleman, Adam Minook, who took us in as his kids and helped us through a very cold winter! We often thank God for him and the friendship we had with him. Tanana has a very special place in our hearts even though we were only there for 6 months! The Elia family was another family that we remember. I also taught school for about 3 months when the hired teacher got sick and had to leave.

Debbie Bathurst-Kim		19-Apr-2016 00:46
My father was born in Tanana in 1910. His father was the US Commisioner (not sure what that means). I had always wanted to visit Tanana, and thought I could drive there from Fairbanks!! Oh well, maybe someday! It makes me wonder how they would have travelled there back in the early 1900's. Everyone is long gone, so no one to ask. Thanks for the pictures, at least I can get a glimpse of the area.

john askins		04-Jan-2015 02:14
I was looking for some old pictures of Tanana and I stumbled onto this page. I was born in Nenena in 1948 and we moved to Tanana in 1949 and opened a trading post --probably about 200 yards downriver from the old Northern Commercial Company store. In the winter of 1954 the manager of the NC company ( managers only stayed a year or so) had a mishap and the store burned to the ground. Being as NC owned most of Alaska in those days, they did not want to be out of business and they didnt have time to build another store, so we sold out to them and moved to the lower 48. We also did not have inside information that the DEW line was on the drawing board and Tanana was soon to be a hub of activity for material heading north. We lived in a two story log house at the upper end of town, which I understand is now gone. A road went to the north of our old house and someone had a little sawmill--and he also had a mule. Going down river along the street (and there was only one at that time) you would first come to the NC store-- there was small gully to cross and then you came to the Episcopal church--that would not be the church pictured today I dont believe-- unless NC company built the present store since 1968. A few hundred feet more on the wood sidewalk you would come to our trading post. I remember when it was built in 1951-- all logs-- and we left the two story building upriver and into the store. When I was there in 1968, NC had built a large building next to it on the downriver side and they used the old log store for storage-- it had also sunk into the permafrost a few feet. I walked up to the front and the top of the roof line was about eye level. Further downriver you came to the school and further on was the CAA installation-- at the time maybe 6 or 7 families. I went to the first grade in Tanana and the pricipals name was Warren Grice. We flew out to Fairbanks with Bob Byers many times-- he recently passed in Washington state but compiled a book of his adventures flying alaska-- his routes were sold to Wein Alaska-- later to become Alaska Air.

Frank Hampton		27-Oct-2014 22:24
I don't want to change any thing. I just wan't to come and say hi.I feel like. the people there do .I'm not a flat lander I don't like a lot of people and have lived out in the Brush all my life.

Racky simpson		19-May-2014 12:31
My grandfather lived in Tanana in the early 1900s and had a woodyard. I do not know much else about that time period

Bill Bartlett		05-Jan-2014 02:06
I lived and taught in Tanana during the eighties I believe. I was the basketball coach. Anyone still there? Jack, Dorothy, et al? bill Bartlett oldmanbill62@gmail.com

ale		12-Sep-2013 18:10
i love to meet some one to tana na in from mexico but i love this city

yukongrandma		04-May-2013 19:17
To Geoff -- I was teaching in Tanana while your parents (and Amy's) were there. (Actually, you were born and Amy was a kid in school during that time I was in Tanana.) The Tanana Commercial Store was there -- but we called it NC Co (Northern Commercial Co.) then, and I think the front has been prettied up a bit. However, it was the same store in the same place. I went to teach in a number of other places (mostly Interior Alaskan communities) and came back to live in Tanana in 1995. In the meantime, Tanana spread out but lost a bit of population. To Cindy Allen -- I believe the fire that killed your uncle and his children was in 1961. I was away in college then. The Mission house was rebuilt later.

Curtis		16-Apr-2013 00:01
To MJ i worked with Bonnie at the clinic while she was here in Tanana. She was a very nice person, and i enjoyed the several years she was here. i was sad when I found out she was struggling with throat cancer, but I didn't know she had passed away. It's sad news to hear that. Curtis S

Steph		25-Oct-2012 05:44
I would love to visit Tanana and get to know the locals. It looks like a beautiful place, but very inaccessible....

Kim Self		21-Oct-2012 13:40
My Grandmother is from Tanana i use to visit as a small child with her she was born there 1926 Jesse Edwin I miss her so much.

Naoma Hoyt		01-Oct-2012 22:24
Hi Cindy, I lived in Tanana at the same time as the Edwards and was a friend of Lucy's and Twinkle's too. I remember the night of the fire so vividly to this day! I have lost track of Twinkle (her real name is Helen) since we all grew up and became adults. I lived in Tanana from 1959 until 1963 while my dad was the missionary and built the Chapel there in town. I've never been back but have wanted to go so often just to see what it looks like now and see if there is still anyone that I remember living there. I remember the house next to St. James (it was rebuilt after the fire), but the church was down next door to my house then - now it has been rebuilt next to the parsonage. The closest these pictures get to my house is that it was located across the street from the reed pump house (I think) in the fourth picture here.

Cindy Allen		30-Aug-2012 02:19
My uncle, Rev. Curtis Edwards and his family: Judy, Lucy, Kathleen & Curtis, lived in and loved Tanana until their deaths in a house fire...about 1960. My cousin, Lucy, had a best friend, named Twinkle, who lived in Tanana. Would love to know what became of her.

Sarah Dickens		29-Aug-2012 04:39
My Grandfather Russell Moon with my Grandmother Marion Moon lived there in the 1940's into the 50's after my grandfather got out of the army, my mother Ruth was born there in 1951. Loved hearing my grandfathers stories from there, and still love hearing my grandmother talk about their life in Tanana. I have many old photographs from them while they were there. I'm not sure the exact job my grandfather did there, but I do remember him telling me stories of all the hunting and fishing that was just a part of daily life, and he was a reverend, and my grandmother has told me about him performing some weddings up there that he and my grandmother took part in as the JOP, best man,maid of honor loving support, and only ones in attendance besides the couples who got married, lol.My personal love for history and draw twords wanting to visit the beautiful western wilderness has me researching more.

Geoff Norberg		25-May-2012 21:49
I was born in Tanana in 1971 and lived there until I was five. From what I can remember it looks like it hasn't changed much. That Tanana Commercial Co wasn't there. Both My parent taught school there. My Mom wrote a book called "You Can't Wallpaper My Igloo" and it has stories of my family's adventures in Tanana etc. I even raced a dog sled on the Yukon.

amy		21-Apr-2011 02:26
Hi Guy! My folks taught school in Tanana from 1966-1980. Since I was raised there I still call it home. Tanana is the best. The people are wonderful and helpful when otheres are in need. I am proud to say I am from Tanana.

CRAIG		26-Aug-2010 21:21
I spent a summer in Tanana in 1971, such a long time ago. Never will forget that summer. Worked and the mercantile, looks the same as know except new owner. Then worked at airport for 5.00hour, thought i was in heaven. People I met were standoffish in the beginning, but let there guards down eventually . Did not take to lower 48ers. Lots of fishing and hunting. The church next to mercantile was not built yet. Pastor was offering to pay workers 4.00hour, couldnt get many takers. Does not look like much has changed in 39years. I would love to go back.

MJ Borland		11-Mar-2010 15:05
i visited Tanana in'04. i was a guest of my friend Bonnie at your clinic. She passed away as you well know. I often think of you-those i met briefly and will never forget.i would be glad to hear from someone-miss my blueberry jam and my students calendar. Best and kind wishes to all. MJ Borland, Iowa.

Ninnie		21-Sep-2009 21:14
I live in Sweden and my grandfather where visiting Tanana around 1900-1905. He brought a golden ring back to Aneboda, Sweden, with inscription TANANA and the timber cottage. Some years ago his son Melvin Malvin gave the ring to the Museeum in Växjö. If you visit "UTVANDRARNAS HUS" www.utvandrarnashus.se/eng/ you could ask for permission to see the ring.

Giebink		05-Feb-2009 12:53
Hi everyone. My name is Brad and I lived off and on in Tanana in 1989-1991. I worked briefly at a fish camp in the summer of 1990 before heading off to fight fires with the Tanana 3 crew which I believe was disbanded (blackballed) after three weeks because of an unruly flight from Fort Wainwright to Tanana in the middle of the night in a twin otter below the smoke following the Chena and Tanana Rivers. I then went on to be in the Tanana 2 and 1 crews. I also hauled logs off of the Yukon with Marty. I am living back in South Dakota but wish to return for a visit with my family sometime soon. If anyone sees Mr. Bradley have him get a hold of me at bgiebink1@sio.midco.net, or anyone else who remembers me for that matter is more than welcome to contact me. I have a lot of great pictures of the townspeople from the time I spent in Tanana and thereabouts and would like to share. Thanks or Bos-se' or however that is spelled.

Guy		02-Feb-2009 23:48
As an Alaska Native I consider this my home town and lived there most of my young years. I now reside in Fairbanks with my wife and children. Tanana is an english translation of Dena-Na. In the Athabascan language Dene or Dena means "The People". "Na" refers to a river. So the translation would be "The People of the River".

Doug		14-Nov-2008 18:04
I lived briefly in Tanana in 1978. This captures the village quite nicely- except when I arrived I was struck by the number of houses with snow machines and sleds perched on the roofs so when the quick thaw came they wouldn't get stuck. The river views are great- since white men could not cut standing wood we would forage up river and lash together giant rafts about 80 x 20 feet and 15 feet high and we used poles to push and steer the rafts down the river. took about 18 cord of wood to heat a house for the winter. made out our annual barge order in February for delivery in July In those days we had the only private truck in town. a fellow came up to me and asked for a ride from the airport tot he store where he cold get a village post mark. He had collected postmarks from eachof the over 35,000 post offices and Alaska was the last stop to complete his collection. turns out he lived in suburban New York City about 10 miles from where I grew up- we met 5300 miles north of our homes.

Fred Rose		26-Oct-2008 11:56
I lived in Tanana from the winter of 1945-1946 through the summer of 1947. I was about six years old when we arrived there. We lived in one of the six FAA houses that were there then(it was the CAA back then). My dad was a heavy equipment mechanic and operator. One of the things he did was maintaining the diesel-electric generators that supplied power to the installation. I remember being in the building they were housed in with my dad. The noise in there was deafening. The houses all had oil furnaces and had a 500 gallon oil tank on stilts outside each house. The first winter we were there it went down to 72 below zero and stayed there pretty much for about a month. I remember the furnace never shut off during that period. No wind fortunately. There was an ice mist which just hung over the river during that cold snap. We lived right on the Yukon river, just about a mile down river from the town proper. I remember the ice breakup in the spring with the massive sheets of ice floating down the river and grinding against and on top of one another. I rember seeing many dead dogs on the ice floating down the river. Dogs were tools then, this was long before snowmobiles came onto the scene. The people, mostly natives, had only so much food to go around for the dogs and had to decide which ones to eliminate during the winter, so they shot them and put them on the frozen river where the spring break would take them away. The CAA would push a barge loaded with supplies up the river in the spring and moor it on the river bank where CAA families would offload the supplies they had ordered earlier. My parents had to plan how much flour, sugar, canned goods, and other non-perishable food items they would need for the following year. All this was stored in the attic of each house. We had mail and miscellaneous supplies flown in from Fairbanks once a week on a DC-3 operated by the CAA. We moved away to Galena in the summer of 1947. Our "moving van" was a cargo version CAA DC-3. We sat on web seats along the sides very much like the ones on the military C-47s. Our household goods and other cargo was strapped to the floor in the middle of the aircraft.

Guest		22-Mar-2008 04:56
I lived in Tanana from Nov 1963 to August 1965, and, of course, some things have changed, but there is still a good feel about it. And the beauty remains. I'm planning to return for the first time in summer 2008. JLS

Kim		06-Mar-2008 03:42
I lived there in the last 80's I was in the 8th grade. It doesnt look like it has changed at all since I was there.

Tim Price		27-Feb-2008 12:52
I've been and lived in Tanana for 2 and a half years back in the late 70's. Tanana from what I can see in the pictures hasn't changed much, which is good seeing how things get so commercialized nowadays. The people are very friendly and easy going. I was in grade school at the time of my living there. I don't recall ever hearing what Tanana means, but do know that the Athabascan word "Nuchalawoya" (I think that's how it's spelled?), means "where the two rivers meet" mainly the Tanana and Yukon rivers. When I lived there our family lived on the F.A.A. (Federal Aviation Administration). My dad was an air traffic controller. We use to go to the riverbank and watch the river break up, pretty cool!

SpisateljicaSnova		19-Dec-2007 16:00
please tell me meaning of word "tanana" and everething about "tanana"?? thx

Guest		12-Dec-2007 00:31
Tanana is a nice small town, there are ruffly 260 residents in the city? in the winter snow-machines can be driven to fairbanks or to manly hot springs, there is one local alcohol store in tanana. the people are quit friendly. and the average airfair is about $220 round trip to fairbanks. thats for your time

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