Kern, Alaska facts for kids
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Kern was once a small settlement and a train stop in Alaska. It was located on the Turnagain Arm, which is a body of water. Kern was about 71 miles (114 km) north of Seward and 13 miles (21 km) east of Sunrise, Alaska. This area was also close to a stream called Kern Creek. Kern became an important spot because it was the end of the railway track for the Alaska Northern Railroad in 1914. Later, the United States government bought this railroad.
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What Was Kern?
Kern was a small community that grew up around a train stop. It was known as a "flagstop," which means trains would only stop there if someone waved a flag to get on or off. This made Kern a key point for travel and trade in the early 1900s in Alaska.
Early History of Kern
The settlement of Kern was established because of the growing need for transportation in Alaska. As the railway expanded, new stops and small towns appeared along its path. Kern was one of these places, serving the people and businesses in the area.
The Railroad's Role
The Alaska Northern Railroad was very important for connecting different parts of Alaska. In 1914, Kern marked the end of this railway line. This meant that anything traveling further north had to be moved by other means, like boats or wagons. The United States government later bought the railroad. This was a big step in developing Alaska's infrastructure.
Government's Interest in Kern
Because of its location and the railroad, Kern attracted attention from the United States government. They were interested in how the railway could help develop Alaska. This led to important visits and decisions about the area.
Important Visitors and Decisions
In the summer of 1911, Walter L. Fisher, who was the United States Secretary of the Interior, visited Kern. He was on an inspection tour to see how things were developing in Alaska. Later, in April 1915, a contract was made to build a railroad line from Seward all the way to Kern. This important agreement was even recorded in the Congressional Record, which is like a public diary of what happens in the United States Congress.
