Location and Climate
Georgetown is located on the north bank of the upper Kuskokwim
River in the Kilbuck-Kuskokwim Mountains. It is east of the mouth of the
George River, 16 miles northwest of Red Devil. The community lies at
approximately 61.923381 degrees North Latitude and -157.619840 degrees
West Longitude. (Sec. 18, T021N, R046W, Seward Meridian.) Georgetown is
located in the Kuskokwim Recording District. The area encompasses 24.5
square miles of land and 0.0 square miles of water. Georgetown has a
continental climate with temperatures ranging between -59 to 94.
Precipitation amounts to 17 inches annually, with snowfall of 80 inches.
The Kuskokwim is ice-free from mid-June through October.
History, Culture and Demographics
The middle Kuskokwim area first experienced contact with
Europeans when the Russian explorer Zagoskin sailed upriver to McGrath
in 1844. At that time, Georgetown was known as Keledzhichagat, a summer
fish camp for residents of Kwigiumpainukamiut. Gold was found along the
George River in 1909. This mining settlement and the river were named
for three traders: George Hoffman, George Fredericks and George Morgan.
By 1910, about 300 prospectors were living on the west side of the
George River. About 200 cabins had been built, when a fire swept through
the settlement in 1911, destroying all but 25 cabins. Also saved were
the two general stores in town, the Kuskokwim Commercial Company, and
the Northern Commercial Company. By 1953, the only large structure that
remained at the site was the two-story log house belonging to George
Fredericks. In the 1950s, the present settlement, on the east side of
the George River, began to develop. A state school was established in
1965, and remained until 1970. A federally recognized tribe is located
in the community, known as the Native Village of Georgetown. There is
currently no residential population. Georgetown’s past residents have
ties to Yup’ik Native Alaskans and Tanaina Athabascans, and depend on a
subsistence way of life. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing
units numbered 4, and vacant housing units numbered 2. U.S.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
There are no public facilities and no central electric system.
Of the four existing homes, two have wells. Outhouses are used for
sewage. Electricity is provided by individual generators. There are no
state operated schools located in the community. The nearest hospital or
health clinic is Clara Morgan Sub-Regional Clinic (675-4556) in Aniak.
Current Population: 2 (2017 Department of Labor Estimates)
Incorporation Type: Unincorporated
Borough Located In: Unorganized
Taxes: No Taxing Authority
Contact Information
Native Village of Georgetown
5313 Arctic Blvd, Suite 104
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone: 907-274-2195
Fax: 907-274-2196
