Quick Facts
- Current Population 5 (2012 Alaska Department of Labor Estimate)
- Legislative Districts (link to State Legislature page):
- Senate District T
- House District 39
- Judicial District 4
- Latitude: 66.9249
- Longitude: -151.5061
Location
Evansville is located about 180 air miles and 250 road miles northwest of Fairbanks, adjacent to Bettles.
Climate
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 °F; the average low during January is well below 0 °F. Extended periods of -40 °F are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 93 °F; the lowest was -70 °F. Average annual precipitation is 13.4 inches, with 77 inches of snowfall.
History
Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish.
Evansville was named for Wilford Evans, Sr., who owned a trading post and river barge business in Allakaket. Evans opened a sawmill at the present site of Evansville and built the Bettles Lodge and General Store.
In 1948, the FAA constructed an airfield and communications installation at Bettles Field, adjacent to Evansville. The U.S. Navy used these facilities as a support base for exploring National Petroleum Reserve 4. Work opportunities at Bettles Field attracted both Natives and whites to the new airfield.
A post office was established at the Bettles Lodge in 1950. A school was constructed in 1956. A health clinic opened in 1980. The school was closed in the 2002-03 school year due to low enrollment.
Culture
The population of Evansville is a mixture of Athabascans and Inupiat Eskimos. Residents of nearby Bettles are primarily non-Native.
Community profile data provided by the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.