Kenai

Kenai is named after the Kenai Peninsula. The name Kenai is probably derived from Kenayskaya, the Russian name for the Cook Inlet and translates to "flat, barren land". Or, it could refer to the Inuit word kenai (black bear).

Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was first occupied by the Kachemak people from 1000 B.C., until they were displaced by the Dena'ina Athabaskan people around 1000 A.D.

Before the arrival of the Russians, Kenai was a Dena'ina village called Shk'ituk't, which means "where we slide down." When Russian fur traders first arrived in 1741, about 1,000 Dena'ina lived in the village. The traders called the people "Kenaitze," or "Kenai people."

In 1791, a Russian trading post, Fort St. Nicholas, was constructed in the middle of the village for the purposes of fur and fish trading. It was the second permanent Russian settlement in Alaska.

The establishment of shipping companies in the early 1900s broadened Kenai into a port city. Canning companies were established and helped fuel the commercial fishing boom that was the primary activity through the 1920s. In 1937, construction of the Kenai Airport began.

In 1940, homesteads were opened in the area. The first dirt road from Anchorage was constructed in 1951; pavement would not arrive until 1956 with the construction of the Kenai Spur highway.

A military base, Wildwood Army Station (later Wildwood Air Force Station), was established in 1953 and served as a major communications post. Wildwood was conveyed in 1974 to the Kenai Native Association in partial settlement of Alaska Native land claims. The facility was leased and later purchased by the State of Alaska and presently serves as the Wildwood Correctional Complex.

In 1957, oil was discovered at Swanson River, 20 miles northeast of Kenai. This was the first major oil discovery in Alaska. In 1965, offshore oil discoveries in Cook Inlet caused a period of rapid growth.

-17 °C

Clear, clear sky

Wind	2.06 m/s
Cloudiness	0 %
Temperature (min/max)	-17/-14 °C
Pressure	1027 hpa
Humidity	92 %

Last update: 21 Nov 2024 @ 16:13

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Featured Businesses

Adventures in Space Camps 2009-04-16
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Fun at the Adventures in Space Camps in Kenai isn't just for students, whether it be a teacher wanting to continue their education, or a company or family needing a location for a retreat, we can meet your needs.READ MORE
The 406 Restaurant2009-04-14
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Weather you are a guest at The .406 Sportsman Lodge in Kenai, or just stopping in for a good meal, please come on in and give our Dug Out Dip or a Buckner's Error a swing.READ MORE

Featured Businesses

Salmon Catcher Lodge2009-04-15
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Salmon Catcher Lodge offers fishing, hunting and adventure travel in Kenai Alaska. Lodging only packages are also available. Salmon Catcher Lodge can comfortably accommodate 30 - 36 people.READ MORE
Kenai RV Park2009-04-16
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Watch fishing boats return and beautiful sunsets over the mouth of the Kenai River from Kenai RV Park in Kenai.READ MORE
Riddle's Fishing Lodge2009-04-15
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Whether you choose lodging or a fishing and lodging package, the sights and wildlife at Riddle's Fishing Lodge in Kenai, our Kenai River lodge, will leave memories that last a lifetime.READ MORE
Alaska Salmon Fishing Lodge2009-09-11
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Our luxury Alaska Salmon fishing lodge in Kenai offers luxurious accommodation and world class Alaska salmon fishing, fly fishing, halibut fishing and fishing guides as well as bear viewing trips.READ MORE
Alaska Lodge2009-04-15
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Alaska Lodge in Kenai has five luxurious cabins which stand nestled in the wood near the banks of the famous Kenai River. These exquisite cabins are waiting to be your Alaskan home whether it?s business or adventure that brings you to Kenai.READ MORE
The Fish Hut Charters and Lodging2009-04-17
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Let The Fish Hut Charters and Lodging in Kenai assist you with your Alaskan adventure. Each cabin comes completely furnished with everything the most discriminating traveler will need.READ MORE
500 Club Meetings2009-04-14
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Whether is coffee and bagels or letting us serve you from our extensive menu's, let 500 Club Meetings in Kenai know what we can do to serve you and set up your reservations today.READ MORE
Elite Health and Fitness2009-04-16
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
At Elite Health and Fitness in Kenai, we would like to be able to offer the youth of the community a place to go andstart working on their healthy habits early. As we all know, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and the best time to teach children about fitness and health is when they are young. & health is when they are young!READ MORE
Courtyard Gardens2009-04-15
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Courtyard Gardens in Kenai has great grounds which invites frequent moose visitations for our residents and guests to enjoy and photograph.READ MORE
Tanglewood Bed and Breakfast2009-04-15
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Chris and Delora Garcia are long time hosts at Tanglewood Bed and Breakfast, and they extend a warm welcome to visitors to their home where many breakfasts are interrupted by moose, caribou, seals, and bald eagles. READ MORE
Foster Landing Log Cabins2009-04-14
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Foster Landing Log Cabins in Kenai are perfectly located, far enough off the beaten path to give you the feeling of fishing rural Alaska, yet just minutes away from the shopping and tourist attractions the city of Kenai has to offer.READ MORE
Beluga Lookout RV Park2009-04-16
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Beluga Lookout RV Park in Kenai is located at the mouth of the Kenai River with spectacular view of Cook Inlet, Mt. Redoubt. Watch for beluga whales from the camp site.READ MORE
Kenai River Seafoods2009-04-17
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
It's the goal of Kenai River Seafoods in Kenai, to assure a memorable and delectable dining experience, and we're confident that we'll provide you with the best wild salmon and halibut available.READ MORE
The .406 Sportsmans Lodge2009-04-14
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
The .406 Sportsmans Lodge in Kenai is the perfect place to launch all your Alaska Fishing and outdoor experiences. We offer competitive seasonal rates through out the year.READ MORE
Kenai Cottage2009-04-14
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Come and relax in Kenai Cottage, our cozy cottage in Kenai, Alaska, and let us assist you with the planning of fishing trips and/or sightseeing adventures.READ MORE
Hi-Lo Charters and Riverside Lodge2009-04-15
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
The main goal of Hi-Lo Charters and Riverside Lodge in Kenai, is to make your Alaskan experience the best it can possibly be. If you want to fish, see bears, go hiking, or even catch some razor clams, we can help you with any of these activities and more.READ MORE
Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club2009-04-16
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Through continued community support, Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club in Kenai, look forward to an exciting future of bringing top quality baseball to the Kenai Peninsula.READ MORE
Hooky Charters2009-04-16
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Come play "hooky" with us.Whether it is Monster Kings, Killer sized Halibut, Fiesty Silvers or trophy sized Rainbow Trout we can "Hook" you up. With over 25years experience and top of the line equipment Hooky Charters in Kenai knows how to catch the big ones.READ MORE
Alaska Flyout Fishing Trips2009-04-03
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Alaska Flyout Fishing Trips Bear viewing, soceye/silvers, world-class fly fishing! Our staple fly out fishing trips are day long, fully guided adventures across the west side of Cook Inlet from our Kenai home base.READ MORE
Alaska Fishing Packages2009-04-03
Located in Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Alaska Fishing Packages Premier fishing & lodging packages! The Alaska fishing packages we put together are without question the best the greater Kenai Peninsula has to offer. READ MORE
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