End of the line

Timeline AKA part 1 of the Prince William Sound

 

Smith's in Tatitlek

                                    2011: Smiths move to Tatitlek. This is the start of an Alaskan adventure for the Smith family. 

Exxon-Valdez leaking oil

                                    1989: Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill, March 24.  This occurs on Bligh Reef about 10 miles from the village of Tatitlek.  This event fundamentally changes the native villages around the sound.  The destruction of fishing and surrounding environment forced many to leave the villages and take work in 

Pipeline terminal in Valdez

                                        1977:  First oil flows through the pipeline.  The pipeline ends in Valdez resulting in oil tanker traffic heading through the Prince William Sound.  This increases the wealth of the whole region and provides many jobs for local Alaskan Natives.

"Old" Chenega after the earthquake

                                       1964:  Great Alaska Earthquake, March 27.  This is devastating to the village of Chenega when it is wiped out by a tsunami.  23 people were killed in the village a third of the population.  The surviving Chenega residents moved in with family in different villages around the sound.  

Cordova shipping trains for the war

                                       1941-1945:  World War II; black-out curtains, submarine drills.  Local Native Alaskans are asked to monitor the shore and waters for the Japanese.  Many locals enlist in the armed services or move to the cities to help with the war effort.  Villages have more contact with the government and many gain radios as a result

Ellamar 1908

                                     1898: Ellamar Mining Co. formed NW of Cordova for copper mining, by 1900 the first shipment of copper is sent from Ellamar.  The completion of the mine forced the village of Tatitlek to move to a different location.  The mine provided employment to the villagers changing their subsistence lifestyle and increased dependence on outside supplies.

The St. Peter in Alaska

                                     1741:  Vitus Bering’s ship the St. Peter visits Kayak Island, with naturalist Georg Steller on board this is the start of Russian influence on the native population of the Prince William Sound. Forced trade results in hostile actions by both groups.  The native population is decimated and is consolidated in to fewer villages.

Connections AKA part 2: 

1750s-1780s Russian trading posts are set up around The Prince William Sound bringing Alaska Natives in contact with Europeans. This results in the spread of the Orthodox church to the villages and the groups intermarrying changing Alaska forever.

The Great Alaskan Earthquake Strikes on Good Friday.  Valdez and Chenega are destroyed by a Tsunami.  The towns are moved to a safer location, Valdez (1965), Chenega Bay rebuilt on Evans Island  (1984).  Government grants help fund tsunami research at the Geophysical Institute at University Alaska Fairbanks to prevent further loss of life.

Discovery of Oil on the North Slope of  Alaska (1968) causes a dilemma on how to deliver it to the lower 48 states.  A pipeline is built to Valdez (1974-1977) a length of over 800 miles,  creating massive employment throughout Alaska.  Oil flows in to tankers and taken through the Prince William sound (1977).  The Exxon Valdez strikes Bligh Reef and spills millions of gallons of oil (1989).