Kern, Alaska

Kern is a ghost town in the Municipality of Anchorage in the U.S. state of Alaska, located off of the Seward Highway. It was destroyed by a tsunami in 1964.^[1]

History

Many streams in the area were probably prospected. It was a terminus of the Alaska Railroad. In 1964, the town was destroyed by a tsunami after a magnitude 9.2 earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean. It is possible that most of the surviving buildings were knocked down due to safety concerns, though a few cabins probably remain hidden in the woods.^[1]

Geography

Kern was located south of Girdwood, Alaska. The town is now entirely overgrown by the Chugach National Forest, and no buildings are visible from the highway. Its remnants are located somewhere along the first southbound pulloff from the Seward Highway after passing Girdwood, as well as near the Alaska Railroad. There is still a marker that reads "Kern." The roads can still be seen, but the entire settlement is overgrown, and avalanches have buried and destroyed much of the town. Kern is located near Kern Creek.^[1]

The climate consists of windy summers and icy winters.^[1]

Demographics

Kern was likely settled by hopeful gold rushers.^[1]

References

Municipalities and communities of City and Borough of Anchorage, Alaska, United States Borough seat: Anchorage City Anchorage Outlying communities Bird Chugiak Eagle River Eklutna Girdwood Indian Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Elmendorf Air Force Base Fort Richardson Rainbow Abandoned Kern Portage

Coordinates: 60°54′25″N 149°04′41″W / 60.90694°N 149.07806°W / 60.90694; -149.07806