:Ninilchik, Alaska

Ninilchik is on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula on the coast of Cook Inlet, {{convert|38|mi}} by air southwest of Kenai, and {{convert|100|mi|km}} southwest of Anchorage. Road access is by the Sterling Highway. By actual road miles it is a distance of {{convert|188|mi}} from Anchorage and {{convert|44|mi}} from Homer.The Milepost, 59th edition, page 630, {{ISBN|978-1-892154-21-7}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of {{convert|536.7|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.07|km2|order=flip|2}}, or 0.01%, are water.

Ninilchik has a continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dsc).

{{Weather box

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|width = 65%

|location= Ninilchik, Alaska (1940-1968 normals and extremes)

| Jan record high F = 45

| Feb record high F = 44

| Mar record high F = 46

| Apr record high F = 56

| May record high F = 68

| Jun record high F = 75

| Jul record high F = 74

| Aug record high F = 72

| Sep record high F = 66

| Oct record high F = 59

| Nov record high F = 47

| Dec record high F = 44

|Jan high F=24.4

|Feb high F=30.7

|Mar high F=29.7

|Apr high F=40.3

|May high F=52.2

|Jun high F=62.2

|Jul high F=61.4

|Aug high F=61.5

|Sep high F=54.9

|Oct high F=42.6

|Nov high F=28.9

|Dec high F=23.0

|year high F=42.7

|Jan mean F = 17.6

|Feb mean F = 23.0

|Mar mean F = 19.5

|Apr mean F = 32.2

|May mean F = 43.3

|Jun mean F = 51.3

|Jul mean F = 52.5

|Aug mean F = 52.0

|Sep mean F = 45.6

|Oct mean F = 33.4

|Nov mean F = 21.4

|Dec mean F = 16.5

|year mean F = 34.0

|Jan low F=10.8

|Feb low F=15.3

|Mar low F=9.4

|Apr low F=24.0

|May low F=34.5

|Jun low F=40.3

|Jul low F=43.6

|Aug low F=42.5

|Sep low F=36.2

|Oct low F=24.2

|Nov low F=13.8

|Dec low F=10.1

|year low F=25.4

| Jan record low F = -20

| Feb record low F = -22

| Mar record low F = -33

| Apr record low F = 0

| May record low F = 22

| Jun record low F = 29

| Jul record low F = 26

| Aug record low F = 33

| Sep record low F = 24

| Oct record low F = 0

| Nov record low F = -12

| Dec record low F = -32

|precipitation colour=green

|Jan precipitation inch=1.69

|Feb precipitation inch=1.28

|Mar precipitation inch=0.94

|Apr precipitation inch=1.50

|May precipitation inch=1.50

|Jun precipitation inch=1.22

|Jul precipitation inch=2.44

|Aug precipitation inch=3.41

|Sep precipitation inch=2.74

|Oct precipitation inch=2.68

|Nov precipitation inch=1.77

|Dec precipitation inch=2.07

|year precipitation inch=23.23

|snow colour=

|Jan snow inch=13.3

|Feb snow inch=8.8

|Mar snow inch=12.7

|Apr snow inch=10.0

|May snow inch=0.0

|Jun snow inch=0.0

|Jul snow inch=0.0

|Aug snow inch=0.0

|Sep snow inch=0.0

|Oct snow inch=2.6

|Nov snow inch=9.0

|Dec snow inch=22.8

|year snow inch=79.2

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 6

|Feb precipitation days = 5

|Mar precipitation days = 4

|Apr precipitation days = 7

|May precipitation days = 5

|Jun precipitation days = 6

|Jul precipitation days = 10

|Aug precipitation days = 10

|Sep precipitation days = 10

|Oct precipitation days = 9

|Nov precipitation days = 6

|Dec precipitation days = 9

|year precipitation days = 86

|source 1= WRCC{{Cite web |url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ak6441 |title=NINILCHIK, ALASKA (506441) |publisher=Western Regional Climate Center |accessdate=August 20, 2022 }}

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 53

|1890= 81

|1920= 87

|1930= 124

|1940= 132

|1950= 97

|1960= 169

|1970= 134

|1980= 341

|1990= 456

|2000= 772

|2010= 883

|2020= 845

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}

}}

In Russian Alaska, Creole promyshlenniki intermarried with and Aleuts and Alutiiqs gave rise to a small but influential population of Alaskan Creoles. Ninilchik first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated Creole village.{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rr9RAQAAMAAJ&q=Ninilchik&pg=PA49 | title=Geological Survey Professional Paper| year=1949}} All 53 of its residents were Creole. It returned in 1890 with 81 residents, however the census combined the adjacent locales of the Laida native village and Anchor Point mine along with Treadwell coal mine (not to be confused with the Treadwell that is now within Juneau). There were 53 Creole residents (probably all Ninilchik residents), 16 Natives (probably the Tinneh residents of Laida), and 12 Whites (probably the residents of the two mining locales).{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CRcwAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Annovokhamiut%22&pg=RA2-PA164 |title = Report on Population and Resources of Alaska at the Eleventh Census, 1890|year = 1893|last1 = Census Office|first1 = United States}} Ninilchik did not return again until 1920, when it was spelled as "Ninilchic" on the census. It returned as Ninilchik again in 1930, and in every successive census to date. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 772 people, 320 households, and 223 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|3.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 762 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.25% White, 13.99% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 3.11% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 320 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $41,750. Males had a median income of $29,861 versus $22,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,463. About 10.4% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

{{further|Alaskan Creole people}}

Before the arrival of Europeans in Alaska, Ninilchik was a Dena'ina Athabaskan lodging area used for hunting and fishing. The name Ninilchik probably derives from Niqnilchint, a Deni'ana Athabaskan word meaning "lodge is built place".

The first Europeans who permanently settled in the village were Russian colonists who moved there from Kodiak Island in 1847, two decades before the Alaska Purchase in 1867 by the United States. They were Russian Grigorii Kvasnikov (anglicized to Kvasnikoff), his Russian-Alutiiq wife Mavra Rastorguev (daughter of Agrafena Petrovna of Afognak), and their children. They were soon joined by the Oskolkoff family, also headed by a Russian man and Alutiiq woman. These were the core families, and their descendants, who often married Alutiiq, made up most of the village.

Their dialectSee the online dictionary, [http://www.ninilchikrussian.com/ Ninilchik Russian] of Russian as spoken in the mid-1800s (plus a few words borrowed from Alaska Native languages) became the primary language spoken in Ninilchik, and it survived in that form long past the 1867 Alaska Purchase. A few speakers of the Ninilchik Russian dialect were still alive in 2013. Russian and American linguists are documenting and cataloging this isolated dialect.{{cite news | title = Russian language's most isolated dialect found in Alaska | date = May 29, 2013 | publisher = Russia Beyond the Headlines | url = http://rbth.ru/society/2013/05/29/russian_languages_most_isolated_dialect_found_in_alaska_26519.html | work = РИА Новости | access-date = May 31, 2013}}

The 1880 United States Census listed 53 "Creoles" living in Ninilchik in nine extended families. All nine old families of Ninilchik are descendants{{cite web|last=Leman|first=Wayne|title=Agrafena's Children|url=http://www.geocities.ws/agrafenas_children/}} of the original Kvasnikoff and Oskolkoff families, with numerous marriages to Alaska Natives, primarily Alutiiq.

File:Ninilchik Russian church.jpg]]

In 1896, a school was built and staffed by Russian Orthodox priests and laymen. Russian Orthodox priests were respected by Alaska Natives because in several areas of southwest Alaska, they had learned indigenous languages and held religious services in those languages. In 1901, the local Russian Orthodox Church was redesigned and constructed at its current site. In 1911 the first school sanctioned by the U.S. government was started, known as the Ninilchik School. In 2011 the community celebrated the 100th anniversary of the school.

In the 1940s, a number of American homesteaders began to live in the area. In 1949, Berman Packing Company began fish canning operations at Ninilchik. In 1950, the Sterling Highway was completed through the town.

{{main|2007 Caribou Hills fire}}

A 2007 fire that burned near Ninilchik, known as the Caribou Hills fire, moved toward the town. At its peak threatened approximately 300 structures. It eventually burned nearly {{convert|60000|acre|km2}} and destroyed 197 structures.

File:Flag of the Ninilchik.svg

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act recognized Ninilchik as an Alaska Native village. Under this law, villagers formed the Ninilchik Native Association Incorporated. The US Congress recognized that the people of Ninilchik comprised a quasi-sovereign government (equivalent to American Indian tribes). The Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC) was authorized as the governing body for Natives who live in the area surrounding Ninilchik or who descended from the original inhabitants.

File:NinilchikAlaska.JPG

The original village is located at the mouth of the Ninilchik River. A small harbor has been constructed near the mouth of the river. The name "Ninilchik" is used today, however, to refer to the original village as well as the community that has grown up around it, extending several miles north, east, and south. Residents of Ninilchik sometimes refer to the original village as Ninilchik Village or simply "the village".

Ninilchik as a town is not incorporated, but it is under the jurisdiction of the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) and the State of Alaska. Volunteer groups, the NTC, the State of Alaska, and the KPB carry out most of the governmental functions in the area. These include fire-fighting (volunteer), highway snow-removal (state), health services (NTC), and primary and secondary schooling (KPB). A Russian Orthodox church, the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel, is located in the community.

Ninilchik is a popular tourist attraction. Other attractions in the area are salmon fishing, typically now either with commercial guides or private commercial family operations, either along the beach north of Ninilchik River or in Cook Inlet whose waters touch the beach next to the village. Halibut can also be caught in Cook Inlet close to Ninilchik. Pacific razor clams{{cite web|author=dfg.webmaster@alaska.gov |url=http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/shellfsh/razrclam.php |title=Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game |publisher=Adfg.state.ak.us |date= |accessdate=February 27, 2021}} are popular for digging on the beaches near Ninilchik, when the tides are low enough. Clammers should check regulations before digging, as this clam fishery has been closed until further notice. Panoramic views of four Cook Inlet volcanos, historical Old Village, the iconic Russian Orthodox church, Ninilchik River and Deep Creek watersheds, abundant wildlife, and bluff-lined beaches provide photogenic opportunities rich in diversity and depth.

Ninilchik is the host community for the annual Kenai Peninsula Fair and the annual Salmonfest Alaska (formerly Salmonstock) Music Festival. Ninilchik Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Clam Scramble, a river to river obstacle run held during or close to the solstice.http://www.salmonstock.org {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120803144152/http://www.salmonstock.org/ |date=August 3, 2012 }}

There are two Alaska State Parks units in the Ninilchik area. Just north of town at mile 135 of the Sterling Highway is the Ninilchik State Recreation Area, which features two campgrounds, beach and river access, and scenic overlooks of Cook Inlet.[http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/nilchik.htm Ninilchik SRA] Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Just to the south of Ninilchik is the Deep Creek State Recreation Area which has a large campground on the beach, several parking areas for access to fishing in Deep Creek, and tractor-assisted boat launching. Both areas are known for the near-constant presence of bald eagles.[http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/kenai/deepcreeksra.htm Deep Creek SRA] Alaska Department of Natural ResourcesThe Milepost, 2018 edition, page 560 {{ISBN|9781892154378}}

• Loren Leman, politician, member of both houses of the legislature and lieutenant governor of Alaska. He grew up in Ninilchik and graduated from the Ninilchik School in 1968. He later moved to Anchorage, where he worked as a civil engineer and served in elected office continuously from 1989 to 2006. He was the first person of Alaska Native ancestry to be elected to statewide office.

{{reflist}}

{{Portal|Alaska}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100811063530/http://www.kenaipeninsula.com/1_Ninilchik_Alaska.html Community profile]
• [http://www.ninilchikrussian.com Ninilchik Russian website]
• [http://www.ninilchiktribe-nsn.gov Ninilchik Traditional Council]
• [http://kenaipeninsulafair.com Kenai Peninsula Fair]

{{Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska}}

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Category:Census-designated places in Alaska

Category:Census-designated places in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

Category:Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Pacific Ocean

Category:Populated places established in 1847

Category:1847 establishments in the Russian Empire

Category:Denaʼina