Mary’s Igloo is an abandoned village located in the Nome Census Area of Alaska. Once a bustling community during the early 20th-century gold rush, it now serves as a seasonal fish camp for residents of nearby Teller. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Nome Census Area
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 65°09′N, 165°04′W
Elevation: Approximately 16 feet (5 meters)
Time Zone: Alaska Standard Time (AKST) (UTC-9)
Established: Early 1900s
Disestablished: 1952
Comments: Originally known as “Kauwerak,” the village was inhabited by the Inupiat people. During the gold prospecting boom, it was renamed “Mary’s Igloo” after an Inupiat woman named Mary, who welcomed miners and trappers into her home. The village became a transfer point for supplies heading to the gold fields upriver on the Kuzitrin and Kougarok rivers. A post office and store were established in 1901. The community was significantly impacted by the flu epidemic of 1918-19 and a tuberculosis epidemic two years later, leading to a decline in population. The schools closed in 1948 and 1950 due to a lack of students, and the post office and store closed in 1952.
Remains: The site has no permanent population and is used as a seasonal fish camp by some residents of Teller.
Current Status: Abandoned
Remarks: Mary’s Igloo holds historical significance as a former hub during Alaska’s gold rush era and as a representation of the Inupiat community’s resilience.
