A Look at the Fascinating History of Soldotna, Alaska

Discover the Alaska town of Soldotna and the history behind this Kenai peninsula community.

Photo above from KPC Anthropology Lab, year unknown

In the picture are Paul and Jane Nestor with their children in front of their concrete manufacturing plant.

Soldotna

The south central Alaska town of Soldotna is located 150 miles south of Anchorage by road on the Kenai Peninsula. In 1960, the population was 332. In 2021, the population was 4,444.

What’s in the Name?

The name, Soldotna, comes from the Dena’ina word, ts’eldat’nu, meaning “trickling down creek”.

The Kenai Peninsula was originally the home of the Kenaitze Indians. Later, the area was developed by non-natives for its fish, timber, and oil.

Homesteading

In 1947, following World War II, the United States government opened up the area for homesteading.

However, Veterans were given preference for a 90-day period over non-veterans.

The Original Soldotna Post Office

In the picture above is the original Soldotna Post Office

Now on the National Register of Historic Places. It still stands on its original site near Corral Street.

Change our Name… Please

The Soldotna Post Office was established in 1949.

The name of the town that was originally submitted to the U.S. Postal System was “Soldatna”. The name wasn’t officially changed to Soldotna until the 1960s.

Yes, You can Share this Edition

Your friends and family will say “wow” when you share this look at Soldotna, Alaska with them. They may even be so happy that they will send you on an all expense - paid, cruise around the world… well, it could happen.

The Sterling Highway

The photo above shows the construction of the Sterling Highway

The highway was named for Hawley Sterling, a Civil Engineer who surveyed the route for the highway.

In the picture above is the dedication of the Sterling Highway Bridge

Soldotna is located at the junction of the Sterling Highway and the Kenai Spur Highway.

The First Full-Time Movie Theater

Photo above from KPC Anthropology Lab, year unknown

George and Shirley Denison opened the first full-time movie theater in Soldotna in 1957. Did you ever go to a movie there? Mike of Anchorage Memories did.

The Discovery of Oil

In the picture above is part of the Swanson River Oil Fields

Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula, borders Cook Inlet. The town is also just over 30 miles from the Swanson River oil field.

Richfield drilled the first well at Swanson River in July 1957 and struck oil.

The Swanson River field was the first commercial oil field discovered in the Cook Inlet, triggering a massive land rush for oil and gas leases on the Kenai Peninsula. The discovery led to other major oil and gas discoveries in Cook Inlet.

Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan, later credited Swanson River with providing the economic justification for statehood.

Visiting the Kenai Peninsula

The name Kenai comes from the word “Kenaitze” or the Kenaitze Tribe, which is the name of the Athabascan Tribe who had historically inhabited the area.

They call the Kenai Peninsula, “Yaghanen”, meaning “the good land”.

There are plenty of great reasons to visit Soldotna and the Kenai Peninsula. World-class fishing on the Kenai River, sightseeing in the 600,000 acre Kenai Fjords National Park which could include visiting a glacier on the Harding Ice Field, the largest in the United States.

BONUS

Would you like to know more about Soldotna?

Take a look at Soldotna, Alaska and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our look back at your memories.

“Wonderful reading about this Anchorage history. I didn't know that about The Book Cache. Remember going there every year on our band trips from Bethel to Anchorage from 1969-1972 to go into a real bookstore! We would also get to the Sears Mall and Penny's too. Great memories I will always treasure.”

Michael

“Loved when winter gave in to spring. Hitchhiked with my best friend into Anchorage from Chugiak to get some new Jack Purcell's and check out the latest clothes at Penneys. In the early sixties, it was time to spend the allowance we received on A&W burgers and root beer in Mt. View. We all got to spread our wings come springtime.”

Rick

“Yes, I remember the Coke Show very well and my friend Ron Moore. Ron would play my new record releases and even had a “Win a Date with Darwin” contest. Great memories. Thanks, Ron”

Darwin

“I lived in Anchorage and Juneau in the mid to late 70s and loved every second of living there. While in Juneau for about a year, I worked as a cocktail waitress at a nice bar with music. We had to wear long gowns to serve. I believe it was called Rusty Nail? The owner (or manager) was called Reds. Can anyone tell me the actual name of the place and whatever happened to it? Is it still in business? Any photos you might have would be great to see! Thanks to anyone who can help me.” 

Linda

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Or you can Contact Us to say, “I once caught my limit on the Kenai River.”

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Alaska VIP Club.com