Unga is a ghost town located on Unga Island in the Aleutians East Borough of Alaska. Once a thriving community, it was the largest village in the Shumagin Islands. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Aleutians East Borough
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: Approximately 55°11′03″N, 160°30′18″W
Elevation: 59 feet (18 meters)
Time Zone: Alaska Standard Time (AKST) (UTC-9)
Established: 1833
Disestablished: 1969
Comments: Unga was settled by Aleuts in 1833 and was initially named Delarov, referring to Evstratii Ivanovich Delarov of the Shelikhov-Golikov Company. The village was reported as Ougnagok by F. P. Lutke in 1836. The first post office was established in 1888, and in 1890, the Apollo Mining Company was established. In 1894, its name was changed to Unga. The post office was closed in 1958, and by 1969, the last family left Unga, with most residents relocating to Sand Point.
Remains: The area is now largely overgrown, with few visible remnants of its past structures.
Current Status: Abandoned
Remarks: Unga’s historical significance lies in its role as a once-thriving Aleut community and its involvement in the mining industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it stands as a testament to the transient nature of such settlements in Alaska’s history.
