Ninilchik on the Kenai Peninsula

This Russian church, Transfiguration of Our Lord, is in the tiny town of Ninilchik just North of Homer.

A plaque in a nearby park states:

[In the early 19th century] The declining sea otter population led to financial hardship for the Russian-American Company. Selling off and closing settlements to offset expenses produced an excess of employees. Other employees were older, sick or unproductive. A solution was needed to relieve the company of the cost of supporting these workers.

Retirement in Alaska was the solution promoted by several managers of the Russian-American Company. The company envisioned a productive, self supporting retired group that would ease food supply problems. ... Ninilchik was one of the first areas considered for retirement. A dwelling and outbuildings were constructed here in 1841, and two families were moved in. This first settlement attempt proved unsuccessful. The search was continued for suitable areas, leading to settlements [in other areas which when then became full so] Ninilchik was reconsidered for retirees. Between 1847 and 1851 five families were moved to Ninilchik [and] comprised the company's first permanent settlement at Ninilchik.

The success of the Russian presence in Alaska was made possible by using the knowledge and labors of the native populations. Children from mixed Russian and Native mariages were called Creoles. Creoles were given Russian colonial citizen status and exempted from taxation and military service. Education and training were made available to both women and men. This was quite a contrast to the earlier treatment of natives.