Chena, located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough of Alaska, was a small town near the confluence of the Chena and Tanana rivers. Established in the early 20th century, it experienced a brief period of prosperity before declining into a ghost town. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Fairbanks North Star Borough
Zip Code: 99709
Latitude / Longitude: 64.8375°N, 147.7761°W
Elevation: 430 ft (131 m)
Time Zone: Alaska Standard Time (AKST) (UTC-9)
Established: 1903
Disestablished: 1973
Comments: Chena was incorporated in 1903, shortly after the discovery of gold in Fairbanks. It served as a shipping and mining town, with a peak population of about 400 in 1907. The town had various businesses, including hotels, general stores, a bakery, and a newspaper called the Tanana Miner. However, by 1910, the population had fallen to 138, and the town gradually declined.
The Tanana Valley Railroad, which had its southern terminus in Chena, moved its general manager’s office to Fairbanks in 1915, contributing to the town’s decline. By 1920, the population had dropped to only 18.
Remains: Today, Chena is considered a ghost town. The area is now part of the outskirts of Fairbanks, within the Chena Ridge census-designated place. Some remnants of the town’s past, such as the Chena Pump House, have been repurposed and serve as a restaurant and tourist attraction.
Current Status: Chena has been disincorporated and is now part of the Fairbanks metropolitan area. The site of the former town is largely uninhabited, with few remaining structures.
Remarks: Chena’s brief prosperity was closely tied to the gold rush era in Alaska. Its decline serves as a testament to the transient nature of boomtowns during that period. Efforts have been made to rediscover and document the town’s history through archaeological projects.
