Moose Pass History

The Story Behind the Name

As legend has it a mail carrier traveling by dog sled along the historic Iditarod Trail in 1903 was met by a moose and had difficulty passing.

In 1909, Oscar Christensen and Mickey Natt came to this same area by horse and dog team and apparently had the same problem. They never left. Instead, they stayed and built a log cabin for themselves and a roadhouse that served as an inn and supply house for gold prospectors headed up north.

Moose Meets Mail Carrier

When the railway blazed its way along the trail to the area, it too may have been stopped by moose — at least long enough to create a construction camp here. When completed in 1912, the area was naturally dubbed "Moose Pass."

While many prospectors passed through Moose Pass, some stayed to develop local gold mines such as Crown Point, East Point, and Falls Creek. Several entrepreneurs built sawmills to supply timber for mines, local construction and the railroad and its insatiable need for hemlock ties.

The Railroad and Post Office

The train took over mail service around 1927, but had a propensity to toss sacks of letters and parcels haphazardly out of the rail car. In 1928, pioneer Leora Estes Roycroft took charge of the situation and became the first Postmaster of what was then officially christened as “Moose Pass.” The Estes family went on to develop the first electricity for the community and eventually run the local grocery store, which is still in operation today.

Winter Festivities

Moose Pass Today

Just like the independent travelers drawn here by the scenic wilderness and central location, forestry and railroad workers, tourism and service operators and artists call Moose Pass home.

Accommodations-Lodging and Camping

Moose Pass offers visitors several options for lodging, from a full service lakeside lodge and a charming mountainside inn...to cozy cottages. An RV park and US Forest Service campgrounds are also available. We recommend making your reservations early.

Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival

This annual event not only welcomes summer and the longest day of the year, but also is the largest fundraiser for the operation of the town's Community Center, Volunteer Fire Department and EMS team. The festival features gift and craft booths, games, food, an auction and lots of music throughout the 2-day event.

Moose Pass Community Library

In operation since 1938, the Moose Pass Library is one of Alaska's oldest nonprofits. Today it supports home school and distance education in collaboration with Moose Pass Elementary School and serves the public with over 3000 books, Internet & Wi-Fi services, video conferences and more.

Trail Lake Hatchery

The Hatchery raises coho and sockeye salmon and releases them into streams and lakes on the Peninsula. Stocks also support salmon sport fisheries in Resurrection Bay. Enjoy the self-guided visitor center or, in the offseason, schedule a tour in advance. Mile 32.1

Winter Wonderland

Winter often brings Northern Lights and more community events such as the months-long Light Up the Night celebration, a visit from Santa, and a New Year's Eve fireworks display. Icefishing, snowmachining, iceskating/ hockey and crosscountry skiing on groomed trails and fresh powder are daily highlights enjoyed by community members and visitors alike.