Golovin

Golovin is a town in Alaska of about 150 people. It is situated on a narrow point separating the Golovnin Lagoon and Golovnin Bay.

Understand

The town's name is a mis-spelling of the name of Russian Vice-Admiral Vasily Mikhailovich Golovnin (1776–1831), who visited Alaska as a captain to inspect the workings of the Russian-American Company in 1807–1809, in the Diana, and in 1817–1819, in the Kamchatka, while circumnavigating the world.

Gold was discovered in 1898 at Council and Golovin became a supply point for the gold fields. Supplies were unloaded from ships at Golovin and shipped across Golovnin Lagoon and up the Fish and Niukluk Rivers to Council. When gold was discovered in what is now Nome, much of the mining and shipping activity moved there and Golovin declined in population.

Reindeer herding was introduced in the area about 1900.

Get in

It is about 105 km (65 mi) east of Nome.

The only way in is by the Golovin Airport, or the Iditarod Trail from the west or east. Bering Air operates flights to Elim and White Mountain. From there, you can fly to other communities or Nome, a bigger city which is served by Alaska Airlines.

Go next

• Elim, if moving eastward along the Iditarod Trail.
• Solomon, if moving westward along the Iditarod Trail.