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Cordova History
Historically, this region is said to have been Alutiiq, a type of coastal Yupik Eskimo, along with the Eyak, who speak
a language somewhat similar to the coastal Tlingit Indians.
The Eyak people of Cordova traditionally facilitated transactions between the Chugach people of the coast and the Athabascan
people of the Interior.
There were at least 8 Native villages in Prince William Sound when Captain Cook
arrived in 1778, looking for the Northwest Passage.
In 1790, Salvador Fidalgo, a Spaniard, explored the area. He named both Cordova and
the Bay of Valdez.
(Photos, Cordova Chamber of Commerce) |
Getting to Cordova
When
the Copper River & Northwestern Railway between Cordova and Kennecott was abandoned in 1938, the only overland route to Cordova disappeared.
Today there still is no road to Cordova, but you can get here year-round via daily trips on the Alaska Marine highway
ferry system from Valdez or Whittier, or daily jet service on Alaska Airlines and commuter Era Aviation.
Cordova is a real fishing village with an active, bustling harbor. Home to world famous Copper River
salmon, over a million pounds of fresh salmon are harvested and shipped
each year. In addition, you can see a glacier close-up, go kayaking to
nearby islands, hike on over 30 maintained trails, or view the newly
renovated "Million Dollar Bridge."
Sportfishing for salmon in the Copper River Delta is a popular pastime from May through October. Saltwater fishing is
also available, with excellent halibut, rockfish, and salmon shark habitat in the nearby inlet and sound.
During
the winter Cordovans enjoy skiing on the local ski hill, ice skating on
the lake, cross country skiing and snow machining on the Delta, fur
trapping, and hosting world class extreme skiers who come each year to
experience heli-skiing in the remote Chugach Mountains.
(Photo, Cordova Chamber of Commerce) |
Bonnie
Prince William Sound
Named
by famed explorer Captain James Cook during his voyage in 1778, Prince William Sound is renowned for being a pristine wilderness – and
for its North Pacific marine ecosystem. It offers a unique chance to get away from the world of cars and highways.
Like many “unspoiled environments” it is fragile, and
its health depends on the wise use of its commercial value, including fishing, logging and oil transportation.
(Photo, PK & Julia) |

Prince William Sound's Coastline Was Formed by Glaciers
There are 3,000 miles of coast in Prince William Sound alone.
The Sound’s many fjords and islands were carved by
glaciers. It’s
a very deep body of water compared to the relatively shallow Gulf of Alaska.
The cold arctic air cools the water surface. The cool water
drops to the bottom and (in a convection current) the warmer, nutrient-laden bottom waters rise to the surface.
The
result is Alaska’s huge plankton bloom which supports many types of
marine mammals, sea birds and fish. It also attracts the whales from
warm southern seas where they over-winter.
(Photo, Cordova Chamber of Commerce) |
Million
Dollar Bridge
The million dollar bridge is 50 miles out of Cordova. It was built by hand in 1909 for the Copper River & Northwestern Railway
to Chitina, and one of its sections fell off a pier in the 1964 Earthquake.
The
fallen span was raised in 2005. However, the road to the bridge has
suffered damage in recent years, making the bridge currently
inaccessable by automobile.
(Photo, Cordova Chamber of Commerce) |
 Childs
Glacier
The Childs Glacier is over 300 feet tall, and often has quite active calving.
(Photo, PK & Julia) |
Importance of the Alaska Interior
A trestle spanning a steep ravine of the CRNW Railway that ran from Kennecott to Cordova rounds a bend.
There
has been talk of resurrecting this section and turning it into a road, somewhat like the McCarthy Road.
The
Copper River brings tons of nutrient-rich soil from the Interior into
the Copper River Delta each year. These nutrients create an ecosystem
which supports the marine life of the North Gulf Coast and the a
bundant wildlife habitat of the Delta.
In return, the rivers and streams of the Interior provide
the spawning waters for ocean-going Copper River King, Red, and Silver salmon. |
 Cordova Celebrates
Cordova is host to a number of activities throughout the year, including the Iceworm Festival, Shorebird Festival, Wild
Salmon Festival, Bearfoot
Bluegrass Festival, Sobriety Celebration, and the Christmas Kickoff Celebration.
(Photos, Cordova Chamber
of Commerce, PK & Julia)


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+ Activities + Things to Get
+ Where to Stay + Where to Eat
CORDOVA BUSINESSES
In Cordova, Don't Miss...
• Ice Worm Festival in February
• Shore Bird Festival in May
• Salmon Fishing all summer
• Music festivals in July
• Cordova Museum
• Eyak Museum & Cultural Center
• Million Dollar Bridge
• Miles & Childs Glaciers
• Copper River Highway
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PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
Became a household
phrase during 1989, when its waters were polluted by the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
The region has since recovered, and cruising or sailing Prince William Sound is more popular than ever. Highlights
include whale watching, blue ocean, icebergs, ferries, islands, and remote towns. |
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Cordova Chamber of Commerce
Extensive information on Cordova businesses, as well as coverage of
Cordova's events, including the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival
(held in early May), and February's Ice Worm festival, in which a tiny
worm that lives on glaciers is celebrated with a parade. Photo
galleries display the antics of the Iceworm mascot and the crowning of
the latest Miss Iceworm.
Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival
Get detailed information on the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival,
held at the beginning of May in Cordova when some 5 million shorebirds
make their annual visit. |
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