History of the False Pass Area

History

History in our area is naturally divided into six time periods. Each period tells about the people who played the central roles in the area at the time and their activities. The first period and the one that lasts the longest, is the Aleut Period. The Aleut peoples arrived in this area, probably from Siberia across the "Bering Land Bridge" some 10,000 years ago. They dominated this area until the arrival of the Russian explorers in 1741. The Aleuts lived in this area in relative stability and abundance for a continuous period longer than most other peoples on earth inhabited their homelands. This is an amazing testimony to their skills and cultural coherence. The second period is the period of immigrants, starting when the Russians arrived to exploit the Sea Otter and other fur bearing animals and establish outposts here. The Russians arrived in 1741 with Vitus Bering and stayed until Alaska was purchased by the Americans from the Russian Crown for 7.2 million dollars on April 4, 1867. The third period begins to focus on the first externally-based economy for the area, the fishing of Cod. The Codfish industry was established mostly by immigrants and visitors from Seattle and San Francisco. Many immigrants, mostly from Scandinavia came here and settled in areas where Cod was readily available on nearby fishing grounds. The fourth period signals the arrival of the canned salmon processsors, primarily from the Seattle area of Washington. This begins the actual history of False Pass as a community, with the establishment of a salmon cannery on the site in 1919 by P.E. Harris Co. Bridging the time period of codfishing and salmon fishing is the fur trapping period. Many local men fished during the summer season when salmon and cod were available and trapped for fur-bearing animals during the winter months. During some years they made more trapping than fishing. The final period and the one we are still in, is the Modern Period, which is characterized by a diversified fisheries economy oriented towards the export and globalized market. Please click on the History navigation bar above and select the period of history that you would like to study in more detail.
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History in our area is naturally divided into six time periods. Each period tells about the people who played the central roles in the area at the time and their activities.

The first period and the one that lasts the longest, is the Aleut Period. The Aleut peoples arrived in this area, probably from Siberia across the "Bering Land Bridge" some 10,000 years ago. They dominated this area until the arrival of the Russian explorers in 1741. The Aleuts lived in this area in relative stability and abundance for a continuous period longer than most other peoples on earth inhabited their homelands. This is an amazing testimony to their skills and cultural coherence.

The second period is the period of immigrants, starting when the Russians arrived to exploit the Sea Otter and other fur bearing animals and establish outposts here. The Russians arrived in 1741 with Vitus Bering and stayed until Alaska was purchased by the Americans from the Russian Crown for 7.2 million dollars on April 4, 1867.

The third period begins to focus on the first externally-based economy for the area, the fishing of Cod. The Codfish industry was established mostly by immigrants and visitors from Seattle and San Francisco. Many immigrants, mostly from Scandinavia came here and settled in areas where Cod was readily available on nearby fishing grounds.

The fourth period signals the arrival of the canned salmon processsors, primarily from the Seattle area of Washington. This begins the actual history of False Pass as a community, with the establishment of a salmon cannery on the site in 1919 by P.E. Harris Co.

Bridging the time period of codfishing and salmon fishing is the fur trapping period. Many local men fished during the summer season when salmon and cod were available and trapped for fur-bearing animals during the winter months. During some years they made more trapping than fishing.

The final period and the one we are still in, is the Modern Period, which is characterized by a diversified fisheries economy oriented towards the export and globalized market.

Please click on the History navigation bar above and select the period of history that you would like to study in more detail.