Page 124 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

122  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

6 Cordova
50 miles (80 km) SE of Valdez.
Transport map E4. * 2,200. ~
g Valdez, Whittier. n 404 1st St,
424-7260. _ Iceworm Festival (1st
weekend in Feb), Copper River Delta
Shorebird Festival (1st week of May),
Copper River Wild Salmon Festival
(late July). ∑ cityofcordova.net
Smaller than nearby Valdez, rainy
little Cordova offers a slice of
the independent, self-sufficent
character of “old Alaska” that has
faded in more accessible places
along the road system. There is
a quiet charm in wandering its
steets or strolling past the fish
canneries. This scenic town is
linked to the outside world only
by plane or the ferries of the
Marine Highway.
Initially a Gold Rush town,
Cordova became the Copper
River and Northwestern Railway Snow-capped mountains overlooking the boat harbor, Cordova
railhead, linking the copper
mines at Kennicott (see pp188–9) Iceworm Festival (see p49), held adults, informative scientific
with the coast. in February to relieve the stress seminars in isolated commu-
The railroad of wintertime cabin fever. There nities around Prince William
functioned is a thoughtful display on the Sound, and summer camps
until the mines Copper River and Northwestern for local schoolchildren.
closed down in Railway, along with examples of
1938. Although cop per jewelry and implements. E Ilanka Cultural Center
Cordova was A video showcases high points 110 Nicholoff Way. Tel 424-7903.
badly damaged in the town’s history. Open summer: 10am–5pm Mon–Fri;
by the 1964 winter: 10am–5pm Tue–Fri. &
earthquake, it E Prince William Sound donations accepted. 7 =
bounced back Science Center ∑ nveyak.com/ilanka-cultural-
as a fishing 300 Breakwater Ave, Cordova Harbor. center
Fisherman’s town and is Tel 424-5800. Open 8:30am–5:30pm Situated opposite the
Memorial known for its Mon–Fri. 7 ∑ pwssc.org Fisherman’s Memorial on
Copper River reds, Founded immediately after the Nicholoff Way, the Ilanka
prized salmon that are shipped 1989 oil spill, this scien tific base Cultural Center was founded to
fresh to restaurants both inside at Cordova harbor’s entrance preserve the culture of the Eyak
and outside Alaska. is home to teams of research tribe, and in fact the last Native
scientists studying the Prince speaker of the Eyak language
E Cordova Historical William Sound eco system. died in 2008. The Eyak people’s
Museum The center offers a fine view stories are told in an interesting
622 1st St. Tel 424-6665. Open late from the deck over- collec tion of artifacts
May–early Sep: 10am–5pm Tue–Sat. looking the water. and photographs.
& 7 = ∑ cordovamuseum.org The researchers Other exhibits
This small museum, housed in here can answer include a complete
the Centennial Building, features ques tions and orca skel eton and
several interesting exhibits. In provide insights a contem porary
addition to works by Alaskan into the long- subsistence totem
artists, including painter Sydney term effects of the pole. The work of
Laurence (who spent some time Exxon Valdez oil carver Mike Webber,
in Cordova around 1900), the spill on the sound the pole is intended
museum houses an old skin- and its ecology. Logo, Prince William Sound to reflect the foods,
covered canoe and a collection The center also Science Center clothing, and dance
of antique photographs. One offers numerous regalia of the tribe.
exhibit explains the effects educational programs. These The center also provides studio
of the 1964 earthquake and include holding field trips and space for Eyak artisans to
another showcases Cordova’s science projects for families and produce their work.
For hotels and restaurants see pp242–5 and pp250–55

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