Flat, located in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area of Alaska, is a ghost town that was once a thriving mining community in the early 20th century. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 62°27′15″N, 158°0′45″W
Elevation: 340 ft (104 m)
Time Zone: Alaska Standard Time (AKST) (UTC-9)
Established: 1908
Disestablished: 2004 (post office closure)
Comments: Flat was established in 1908 after gold was discovered on Otter Creek. It quickly grew into one of the largest towns in the area, boasting a population of around 400 people during its peak. The community featured numerous businesses, including general stores, saloons, and a post office.
As gold mining declined, the population dwindled, and by the 1960s, most residents had moved away. The town was completely abandoned by 2010. Prospectors John Beaton and W.A. Dikeman discovered gold on Otter Creek on 25 December 1908. News of the discovery spread slowly, but some miners arrived in the summer of 1909 and built a small camp they called Flat City.
More gold was discovered on nearby Flat Creek and more miners arrived in 1910.[2] Beaton, Peter Miscovich, Lars Ostnes, and David Strandberg were prominent early arrivals who mined successfully long after the initial “boomtown” faded. By 1914, the community had grown to about 6,000 people, complete with an elementary school, a telephone system, two stores, a hotel, restaurant, pool hall, laundry and jail.
However, by 1930, the population had declined to 124. No plat was filed for Flat, and the town site rests on mining claims, so the existence of Flat may contravene the law, but the U.S. Post Office acknowledged the community and served its few residents with an office until the year 2000.
Remains: Today, Flat is a ghost town with several collapsed structures, remnants of old mining equipment, and a few buildings still standing. These remnants provide a glimpse into Alaska’s gold mining history.
Current Status: Flat has no permanent residents and is considered an uninhabited ghost town.
Remarks: Flat’s history is a testament to the transient nature of boomtowns built around resource extraction. Its remote location and harsh environment contributed to its eventual decline.
For a visual exploration of Flat’s history, you might find the following video insightful:
