Barrow Alaska

Barrow with a population of 4,438 is the northernmost city in North America. It is located on the Chukchi sea coast, 10 miles south of Point Barrow  from which it takes its name. It is 725 air miles from Anchorage and has an  arctic climate. The sun does not set between may 10th and August 2 each summer,  and does not rise between November 18th and January 24th each winter. The  daily minimum temperature is below freezing 324 days of the year.

Barrow is the economic center of the North Slope Borough. Numerous businesses provide support services to oil field operations. State and federal agencies also provide employment. The midnight sun has created a major boom in tourism. Seven residents hold commercial fishing permits, but many residents rely upon  subsistence food sources.

Regularly schedules jet services provide Barrow's only year-round access.  The State-owned Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport Serves as the regional transportation center for the Borough. The airport has a 6,500 foot asphalt  runway, and has recently undergone major improvements. Marine and land transportation provide seasonal access. The city has requested funds for construction of  a small boat harbor.

History
Archaeological sites in the area indicate that there were Inupiaq people living on this land for thousands of years. There are many artifacts in the area that have yet to be recovered. Please respect the culture, obey the laws and refrain from digging for artifacts in and around Barrow. Instead, Look for displays around town and you will learn about efforts to protect the Inupiat  heritage. Inupiat traditionally depend on subsistence marine mammal hunting, supplemented by inland hunting and fishing.  Archaeological remains of sixteen dwelling mounds from the Birnirk culture still exist today.

Barrow was named for Sir John Barrow, 2nd Secretary of the British Admiralty.  Barrow's Eskimo name is known as Ukpeagvik (place where owls are hunted).  In 1881, the US army established a meteorological and magnetic research station  near Barrow. The Cape Smythe whaling and Trading Station followed in 1893.  A Presbyterian church was established in 1899, and a post office was opened in 1901. Exploration of the Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4 ( now National Petroleum reserve in Alaska, NPR-A) began in 1946. The Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, 3 miles north of Barrow, soon followed. Formation of the North  Slope Borough in 1972, the Arctic slope Regional Corporation, and construction of Prudhoe Bay oil fields and Trans-Alaska Pipeline have each contributed  to the development of Barrow. Today, tax revenues from the North slope oil  fields fund borough-wide services.

63.9% of the population are Alaska Natives. The majority of residents are  Inupiat Eskimos. Traditional marine mammal hunts and other subsistence practices  are an active part of the culture. Bowhead, gray, killer and beluga whales migrate near barrow each summer. The sale of alcohol is banned in the community, although importation or possession is allowed.

Information/Emergency

Barrow Visitors Information Center on Ahkovak St.

Emergency: Police, fire and ambulance 911

Accommodations
The King Eider Inn, 907-852-4700. The King Eider Inn provides the most pleasant, attractive and secure hotel facility available to visitors of Barrow, Alaska. Quiet, clean and smoke-free. Features include a guest sauna, gift shop, vehicle rentals. The King Eider Inn is also the only true wheelchair accessible hotel in Barrow.

Airport Inn, Box 933, Barrow, AK 99723; 907-852-2525.

Top of the World Hotel, Box 189, Barrow, AK 99723; 907-852-3900.

Transportation/Tours
Alaska Airlines toll free 1-800-426-0333

Tundra Tours, in Alaska 907-852-3900 Sighseeing bus tours with narration by a trained guide. Visit the new Heritage Center Museum which explores the 4000 year old Inupiat Eskimo culture. Experience traditional Eskimo Dances, unique Native crafts and mask and skin sewing demonstrations. Tours include round trip air from Fairbanks or Anchorage on Alaska Airlines,  transfers, guided tour, Culture Program and Arctic Circle Certificate. Overnight accommodation is available at the Top of the World Hotel.