Naknek, Alaska Photograph Collection, approximately 1950-1960

Naknek, Alaska is located on the north bank of the Naknek River, at the northeastern end of Bristol Bay. Some theorists believe that this region was first settled over 10,000 years ago by Yup’ik Eskimos and Athabascan Indians. In 1821, the original village of “Naugeik” was noted by Captain Lt. Vasiliev. By 1880, the village was called Kinuyak, which was later spelled Naknek by the Russian Navy. The Russians built a fort near the village and fur trappers inhabited the area for some time prior to the U.S. purchase of Alaska. Today, Naknek is a fishing community, with a mixed population of approximately 614 Non-Natives, Aleuts, Yup’ik Eskimos, Alutiiq and Athabascans. Approximately 41.1% of the population is Alaska Native, in whole or in part. The economy is predominantly based on salmon fishing and processing.