Country United States Census area Valdez-Cordova GNIS feature ID 1406770 Local time Sunday 12:01 PM Number of airports 1 | State Alaska Time zone Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9) Elevation 908 m Population 5 (2010) | |
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Weather -15°C, Wind E at 3 km/h, 55% Humidity | ||
Nabesna (Nabaesna’ in Ahtna) is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in northern Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, United States, in the northern part of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It lies along the Nabesna Road, a gravel road that connects it to the Tok Cut-Off at Slana. Its elevation is 2,979 feet (908 m). Founded by and named for the Nabesna Mining Company, the community received a post office in 1909. Located at the base of White Mountain in the Wrangell Mountains, it lies west of the Nabesna River. According to the 2010 Census, there were five people residing at this location.
Map of Nabesna, AK 99586, USA
Gold was discovered at White Mountain in 1891, and the site was first developed in the early 20th century. Through the efforts of Carl Whitham, the Nabesna Mining Company was formed in 1929, resulting in an expansion of the camp and the construction of Nabesna Road. The mine was closed during World War II, and only briefly reopened afterward, closing permanently after Whitham died in 1947. The location was used as a secret supply cache by the United States Army during the Cold War. The mine produced 2.5 short tons (2.3 t) of gold during its active period, as well as many tons of silver, copper, and lead. The old mining camp is now a ghost town, and was listed as Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.