College in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
The Russian American Company
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
1. The Russian American Company Marker
In 1799, the Russian American Company (RAC) was established via a 20-year renewable charter granting a monopoly over trading in Russia's North American holdings. The company focused on exploiting fur resources in Alaska during the first charter period. It was the search for high quality furs that brought the RAC to the Middle Kuskokwim River.
Orders were issued for the creation of a station (trading fort) named Kolmakovsky Redoubt in 1841, following the success of two previous stations nearby. The blockhouse was the first building constructed, followed by eight other structures. In 1867, Alaska became a territory of the United States and ownership of the redoubt eventually transferred to the Alaska Commercial Company.
[Photo captions, clockwise from top left, read]
Russian American Company flag
Above: Kolmakovsky Redoubt, ca. 1884, by Moravian missionaries William H. Weinland and J. Adolphus Hartmann.
Left: View of Kolmakovsky from the river, 1912.
Right: The blockhouse and store, ca. 1900
Erected by University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 64° 51.571′ N, 147° 50.385′ W. Marker is in College, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It can be reached from Yukon Drive. Marker is next to the Kolmakovsky Redoubt, about 400 feet northeast of the Museum of the North, just beyond the museum parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1952 Yukon Dr, Fairbanks AK 99709, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor, in the Athabascan Region, and in Interior Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Middle Kuskokwim River (here, next to this marker); Saving an Alaskan Treasure (here, next to this marker); Historical Archaeology (here, next to this marker); The Only University-Owned Rocket Range in the World
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
2. The Russian American Company Marker
Also see . . .
1. The Russians (National Park Service). (Submitted on September 9, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Yudin Collection of Russian-American Company Records, 1783 to 1946 (Library of Congress). (Submitted on September 9, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
3. The Russian American Company's Kolmakovsky Redoubt
Photographed by William H. Weinland/J. Adolphus Hartmann, circa 1884
4. Kolmakovsky Redoubt, ca. 1884 Photo on Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 9, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
