Oscarville, AK | Oscarville Business Listings Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
Current Population: 64 (1999 Alaska Dept. of Labor Estimate) Incorporation Type: Unincorporated Borough Located In: Unorganized Taxes: No taxing authority Location and Climate
Oscarville is located on the north bank of the Kuskokwim River opposite Napaskiak, 6 miles southwest of Bethel. It lies 401 miles west of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 60d 43m N Latitude, 161d 46m W Longitude (Sec. 05, T007N, R071W, Seward Meridian). Oscarville is located in the Bethel Recording District. The area encompasses 1.5 sq. miles of land and .6 sq. miles of water. The weather is influenced by storms in the Bering Sea and also by the inland continent. Average precipitation is 16 inches and snowfall is 50 inches. Summer temperatures average 42 to 62, winter temperatures average -2 to 19. The Kuskokwim River is typically ice-free from June through October. History, Culture and Demographics
In 1908, Oscar Samuelson and his wife, an Eskimo from the Nushagak region, moved from Napaskiak across the River and opened a trading post. A few Native families settled nearby and the site came to be known as Oscarville. Samuelson managed the store for 45 years, until his death in 1953. By 1955, there were 13 homes and two warehouses in the village. The Samuelsons continued to operate the store until 1975 when it was sold; it was closed in the early 1980s. A school was built by the BIA in 1964.
Alaska Natives represent 91.2% of the population. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community. The year-round population of Oscarville is primarily Yup'ik Eskimos. Subsistence is an integral part of the lifestyle, and some commercial fishing occurs.
During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 21 total housing units, and 6 of these were vacant. The official unemployment rate at that time was 0%, with 11 jobs estimated to be in the community and 56% of all adults not in the work force. The median household income was $26,250, and 27.2% of residents were living below the poverty level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Treated well water is hauled from the washeteria. However, the washeteria itself is not functioning. A few homes have individual systems that collect and use rainwater. About one-fourth of homes have running water to the kitchen. The school has its own well and sewage lagoon, but it needs a new water treatment system. Honeybuckets are disposed of by residents in the sewage lagoon. Funds have been requested to increase water storage capacity, to upgrade the washeteria, and to upgrade the water and sewer services to a flush/haul system. An electrical transmission line from Bethel supplies power.
Electricity is provided by Bethel Utilities Corporation.
There is one school located in the community, attended by 19 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Oscarville Health Clinic.
Economy and Transportation
The school and health clinic are the only permanent sources of employment. Residents use the post office and airstrip at Napaskiak. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit for the salmon net fishery. Trapping and handicrafts provide some income. Subsistence activities provide most food sources. Salmon, waterfowl, moose, bear, and seals are utilized. Poor fish returns since 1997 have significantly affected the community.
Oscarville relies heavily on Napaskiak for passenger, mail and cargo services. Residents use skiffs to pick up mail in Napaskiak or shop in Bethel. The village is interested in construction of an airport. Barge services deliver goods once a year. The river is an important means of transportation in summer and in the winter as an ice road, however, during breakup and freezeup, the community can be periodically isolated.
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