Nome, Alaska

Travel Blog  •  Ben Keene  •  01.20.06 | 1:16 PM ET

Population: 3,592 (2004 est.)
Coordinates: 64 30 N 165 25 W
imageEverybody makes mistakes—including cartographers. Take a closer look at the state of Alaska’s Seward Peninsula. In the mid-19th century, a British mapmaker transcribing a naval chart apparently misread “? Name” as “C. Nome,” thus giving this small Alaskan city its appellation. And although a group of miners attempted to rename the settlement Anvil City in 1899, the United States Postal Service insisted on Nome, after the cape on the Norton Sound. Which begs the question: Did North Dakota and Texas arrive at Nomes of their own due to similar errors?

—.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) is the editor of the Oxford Atlas of the World.

Tags: North America, United States, Alaska

Ben Keene has appeared on National Public Radio, Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio as well as other nationally syndicated programs to discuss geographic literacy and his work updating a bestselling world atlas. Formerly a touring musician, he has written for Transitions Abroad and inTravel.


1 Comment for Nome, Alaska

Hank Irelan 05.26.08 | 12:45 AM ET

Ben,

You have most of it right but the chicken or the egg.  The Mining district was called the Cape Nome Mining district the town site was called Anvil City. When incorporated cities were allowed is when the decision had to be made.  Prior to the organic act allowing for govenments in Alaska everything was at will.  That is why there was so much lawless activity there were no laws.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.