Gambell, AK | Gambell Business Listings Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
Current Population: 653 (certified December, 2000, by DCED) Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City Borough Located In: Unorganized Taxes: Sales: 3%, Property: None, Special: None Location and Climate
Gambell is located on the northwest cape of St. Lawrence Island, 200 miles southwest of Nome, in the Bering Sea. The City is 36 miles from the Chukotsk Peninsula, Siberia. It lies at approximately 63d 47m N Latitude, 171d 45m W Longitude (Sec. 03, T020S, R067W, Kateel River Meridian). Gambell is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 11.1 sq. miles of land and 19.2 sq. miles of water. Gambell has a maritime climate with continental influences in the winter. Winds and fog are common, and precipitation occurs 300 days per year. Average annual precipitation is 15 inches, including 80 inches of snowfall. The Bering Sea freezes during mid-November, with break-up at the end of May. Average summer temperatures are 34 to 48; average winter temperatures are -2 to 10. Extremes from -30 to 65 have been recorded. History, Culture and Demographics
St. Lawrence Island has been inhabited intermittently for the past 2,000 years by both Alaskan and Siberian Yup'ik Eskimos. In the 18th and 19th centuries, over 4,000 people inhabited the island in 35 villages. Sivuqaq is the Yup'ik name for the village and for the Island. The City was renamed for Mr. and Mrs. Vene C. Gambell. A tragic famine between 1878 and 1880 decimated the population. In 1900, reindeer were introduced to the island for local use, and in 1903, President Roosevelt established a reindeer reservation. During the 1930s, some residents moved to Savoonga to establish a permanent settlement there. The City was incorporated in 1963. When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed in 1971, Gambell and Savoonga decided not to participate, and instead opted for title to the 1.136 million acres of land in the former St. Lawrence Island Reserve. The island is jointly owned by Savoonga and Gambell.
Alaska Natives represent 96.2% of the population. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community. The isolation of Gambell has helped to maintain their traditional Siberian Yup'ik Eskimo culture, their language, and their subsistence lifestyle based upon marine mammals. Residents are almost completely bilingual. Walrus-hide boats are still used to hunt. The sale, importation or possession of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 132 total housing units, and 12 of these were vacant. The official unemployment rate at that time was 16.8%, with 99 jobs estimated to be in the community and 71.1% of all adults not in the work force. The median household income was $15,938, and 46.4% of residents were living below the poverty level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Water is derived from wells and Troutman Lake, is treated and stored in three storage tanks. 116 homes are now connected to the piped water and sewer system. The schools and washeteria have individual water wells and septic tank systems. 37 homes in the original townsite still haul water and honeybuckets. A Master Plan is underway. A new water source is needed to ensure no shortages will occur. The landfill is not permitted; the City wants to develop a new site.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community, attended by 190 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Gambell Health Clinic (985-5012). The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Major clinic improvements in 1979
Economy and Transportation
The economy in Gambell is largely based upon subsistence harvests from the sea - seal, walrus, fish and bowhead and gray whales. Fox are trapped as a secondary source of cash income. Some reindeer roam free on the island, but most harvesting occurs out of Savoonga. Ivory carving and sale of archaeological artifacts are popular sources of income. The abundant number of seabird colonies provide an opportunity for limited tourism by bird-watchers. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit.
Gambell's isolated location on an island with no seaport results in heavy dependence upon air transport. The State-owned airport is currently under major improvements; it provides a 4,500' asphalt runway. Regular flights from Nome and charters from Unalakleet are available. Lighterage services bring freight from Kotzebue and Shishmaref.