Bluff, Alaska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bluff Iġukuchiq, Iġukusiq, Iruk'uciq
Ghost Town
Road House Saloon, Bluff City, Alaska, photograph by Beverly Bennett Dobbs
Bluff, Alaska Location in Alaska
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Borough	Nome
Elevation	59 ft (18 m)
Time zone	UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code	99762
Area code	907
FIPS code	02-08445
GNIS feature ID	1399220

Bluff is a historic site in Nome Census Area, Alaska. It was once a small town, but today it is known as a ghost town. Its original names in local languages were Iġukuchiq or Iġukusiq (in Inupiaq) and Iruk'uciq (in Yup'ik).

Bluff was built in the summer of 1900. It was located on the northern coast of Norton Sound, which is part of the Seward Peninsula. The town was about 55 miles (88 km) southeast of Nome.

A Town Built for Gold

Bluff came to life because of the exciting Nome Gold Rush. This was a time when many people rushed to Alaska hoping to find gold. Bluff was set up at the mouth of Daniels Creek, a good spot for miners.

What Was Life Like in Bluff?

For 18 years, from 1901 to 1919, Bluff had its own post office. This means it was an active community where people lived and worked. Miners and others came to the town, hoping to strike it rich.

Why Did Bluff Become a Ghost Town?

Over time, the gold became harder to find. People started to leave Bluff to look for opportunities elsewhere. By 1940, only 19 people were recorded living there. Today, Bluff is mostly deserted, with only a few old buildings left. It stands as a reminder of Alaska's gold rush history.