Cold Bay’S Covert Beginnings Built As a Covert U.S
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Insider’s Guide to Cold Bay’s Covert Beginnings Built as a covert U.S. military air base, transformed into a ermines, brown bears, A Story Down Every Street secret Russian training camp, then a base for the legendary Welcome shorebirds, seabirds and an to Cold Bay – a one-of-a-kind community that prides itself on its Though you won’t see many street signs in Cold Bay, most of Flying Tigers, Cold Bay’s military history is as dramatic as the COLD array of waterfowl here. The the streets have names. These names are the keys to many of Lodge courtesy Izembeck Photo wilderness around it. rugged wilderness and down-to-earth lifestyle. If you have an coastal waters around the Cold Bay’s stories. adventuresome, outdoor spirit and are ready to experience Alaska at refuge are populated with Cold Bay was officially settled in August of 1941, when a Venaminov Circle takes us back to harbor seals, sea otters, military contractor arrived to build a secret military base and BAY its most wild, Cold Bay, with its rich history and front-door access to the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, is just the place for you. a Russian Orthodox missionary, walruses and Steller sea lions. airstrip here. The goal was to build a post quietly, to defend ALASKA now known as St. Innocent, who Each spring and fall, gray, the Aleutian Islands and mount offensives against the Japanese Community With A View traveled to the Alaska Peninsula in minke, killer and humpback during World War II. the 1800s. Baranov is named after whales migrate through. On a clear day in Cold Bay, you can see some of the most To escape the notice of the Japanese Imperial Navy, the military successful Russian trader dramatic sights in the world. World-famous hunting opportunities for brown bear, caribou contractor took on the assumed name “Saxton & Company” Aleksandr Baranov, who was the and waterfowl can be found in Izembek and the entire and claimed to be working on a salmon cannery. Fort Randall, To the west, you’ll see the National Natural Landmark, Chief Manager of the Russian- region. When salmon as it was later known, was completed in 1942. Later, the U.S. Shishaldin Volcano. Shishaldin Volcano is about 50 miles American Fur Company. away from Cold Bay on Unimak Island. At more than 9,000 are running, brown government found another use for this strategically-located feet high, Shishaldin is the tallest volcano on the island. The It was General William Buckner’s plan to build Fort Randall bear densities are base with its deep, protected port and world-class runways. Aleut name for Shishaldin is Sisquk, which means “mountain here secretly, under the guise it was a fish-processing plant. among the highest Near the end of World War II, the United States entered into a which points the way when I am lost.” Shishaldin almost Buckner Street honors his contribution to the community. recorded in Alaska. secret alliance with Russia called Hula Two. In exchange for always has a puff of steam from its summit crater, hence Reeve Avenue is named after Bob Reeve, who provided the At the heart of the equipment and training, Russia, which previously had signed a the nickname, “Smoking Moses.” It’s an active volcano first civilian passenger air service in and out of Cold Bay after refuge is the Izembek neutrality agreement with Japan, agreed to declare war against Photo courtesy USFWS Photo which is highly unpredictable. Frosty Peak is a 5,803-foot World War II. Lagoon. Home to some its former partner. Cold Bay was selected as a secret transfer volcano that sits to the southwest of Cold Bay. Topped with and training site for Russian troops. Russian soldiers and Dias Avenue, named after former resident Gerry Dias (who of the largest eelgrass snow throughout the year, Mount Frosty’s snow melt feeds sailors came to Cold Bay, received training from the U.S., and served as Cold Bay Mayor and City Council Member for many beds in the world, the Russell Creek. sailed out on war ships under the Russian flag. The base was years), is the most-recently-named street. The Cold Bay City lagoon provides feeding and resting grounds for hundreds of thousands of officially closed in 1945, after World War II had ended. About 35 miles due east are the dramatic Aghileen Pinnacles, Council named the street after him when he retired from his birds. More than 98 percent of the world’s Pacific black which form a portion of the boundary between Izembek and job as Cold Bay Airport Manager. After the war, Reeve Aleutian Airways made Cold Bay acces- the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge. Sitting next to brant arrive at Izembek Lagoon each fall to feed on eelgrass Anna Livingston Memorial Clinic sible to civilians when it began flight operations out of an the pinnacles is Pavlov, another active volcano that’s visible Izembek National in preparation for their 3,000 mile non-stop flight to Mexico. 532-2000 abandoned military Quonset hut. The Korean conflict made from Cold Bay. Mount Pavlov is 8,200 feet high. It last Wildlife Refuge Other birds traveling through the refuge each fall include 532-0911 (radio) Cold Bay home to a military supply base and Northwest Orient mallards, Canada Geese, rock sandpipers and dunlins. Airlines operated a number of facilities here. erupted in 2007. The 417,533-acre Izembek National Steller’s eiders and emperor geese stay through the winter. City of Cold Bay Wildlife Refuge (INWR) plays an 532-2401 Cold Bay bustled again during the Vietnam War, when the integral part in everyday life for those A visitor’s center is located at the refuge headquarters. Flying Tigers Line obtained a military contract to haul freight lucky enough to live in Cold Bay. More Here you’ll find Frosty Fuel overseas. At the end of the war, the Flying Tigers remained in than 95 percent of the INWR is several wildlife 532-2467 Cold Bay to focus on retail operations in facilities purchased designated wilderness. The refuge also displays, maps and from Northwest Orient Airlines. Reeve Aleutian Airways later draws visitors from around the world. other information. Izembek National Wildlife Refuge purchased and operated many of those facilities. Refuge staff 532-2775 Izembek is home to a wide variety Today, the airfield built during World War II is still one of the members are Monty Martin by Photo Photo by Monty by MartinPhoto Photo by Monty by MartinPhoto of fish and wildlife in this ecologi- available to answer courtesy USFWS Photo Peninsula Airways community’s most important assets. Reeve Air continued to cally unique part of the world. questions and 532-2485 operate in Cold Bay for more than 50 years, until it closed in You’ll find parka squirrels, foxes, provide more 2001. Today, Peninsula Airways (PenAir) uses this world-class Unique. caribou, moose, land otters, information. Weather Service airport to provide passenger service for the region. 532-2443 Even for Alaska. Cold Bay 5 10 City Building/Library/Exercise Room/ Post Office POINTS OF INTEREST Monty by MartinPhoto Racquetball Court One thing you can count DOCK LD BAY on in Cold Bay is that the CO , A F LA Whether you’re looking for directions, a fishing or hunting O S Y K Post Office flag is always T license, a little exercise or a great book, the city building is the I A 1 Grant Point Kiosk C place to go. Visit the City Clerk for fishing and hunting licenses, flying. You can see it any- Cold Bay is renowned for its copying services, sending faxes and general information about where you travel in town. Visitors use it as a navigational aid excellent bird-watching opportu- Cold Bay. Under the same roof, you’ll find an excellent selec- in case they get turned around. Because it takes a beating nities, especially around Izembek courtesy USFWS Photo tion of books and videos for in the community’s dramatic weather conditions, the flag is Lagoon, which holds one of the replaced once a month on average. Got your passport? Get it J loan at the Cold Bay library. AN 82 world’s largest eelgrass beds and UAR , 19 The library is staffed by vol- stamped here in remembrance of your trip. Y 11 attracts birds from around the unteers, so be sure to check Monty by MartinPhoto world. The Grant Point Kiosk, 11 Frosty Fuel The Community of to see when it’s open. The constructed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides a Frosty Fuel is the place to stop and gas up your vehicle. building also houses a rac- safe, comfortable place to view waterfowl feeding and nesting Frosty Fuel gets its name from snow-topped Frosty Peak that quetball court and exercise COLD in the lagoon. sits southwest of the community. Call the main office room. The racquetball court (907-532-2467) to schedule vehicle refueling. BARANOV ROAD 2 Alaska Department of Fish and Game is open during the day, when the main doors are open. BAY 12 ALASKA The Department of Fish and Game Commercial Division opens Anna Livingston Clinic 6 DIAS AVENUE TO RUSSELL CREEK its Cold Bay office during the summer months. Though the staff Golf Course Named after long-time resident Anna Livingston, the local On a sunny day in Cold Bay, locals often gather at the Cold Bay IZEMBEK focus is on managing commercial fisheries in the clinic is staffed by a mid-level provider and community STREET golf course.