Alaska's cities

Manley Hot Springs, Alaska

Warm water has drawn visitors for a century

Alaska.com

Manley Hot Springs has a cold, continental climate. The average daily maximum is in the upper 50s in summer, and minimum temperatures during winter range from minus 6 to minus 21. Temperature extremes have been measured from 93 to minus 70. The average annual precipitation is 15 inches, with snowfall of 59.3 inches.

The local economy is based on a wide variety of small businesses, with many residents having three or four means of producing income. A barter system also thrives between residents. Government employment accounts for about one-quarter of the total. Gardening, hunting and fishing provide food sources. Salmon and moose provide the primary meat sources.

Goods and fuel are typically delivered by truck. The highway runs through Manley to the Tanana River Landing, three miles southwest. The Tanana River landing is used to launch boats for fishing or transportation, and barge services are provided during summer months. A state-owned 2,900-foot gravel runway is available year-round.

A federally recognized tribe is located in the community: Manley Village Council. Twenty-three percent of the population is Alaska Native or part Native.

History
In 1902 John Karshner, a mining prospector, discovered several hot springs and began a homestead and vegetable farm on 278 acres. At the same time, a U.S. Army telegraph station and trading post were built. The area became a service and supply point for miners in the Eureka and Tofty mining districts and was known as Baker's Hot Springs, after nearby Baker Creek.

In 1903 Sam's Rooms and Meals, now called the Manley Roadhouse, opened in the community. Ambitious farming and livestock operations in the area produced fresh meat, poultry and produce for sale. In 1907, miner Frank Manley built the Hot Springs Resort Hotel. The resort was a large four-story building with 45 guest rooms, steam heat, electric lights, hot baths, bar, restaurant, billiard room, bowling alley, barber shop and an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool that used heated water from the hot springs.

During the summer, the hotel's private launch transported guests from steamers on the Tanana River. In the winter, an overland stagecoach trip from Fairbanks took two days.

The town of "Hot Springs" prospered with an Alaska Commercial Company store, a local newspaper, bakery, clothing stores and other businesses. Local estimates of the area's population in 1910 was more than 500. In 1913, this thriving resort burned to the ground. Mining was also declining and by 1920 only 29 residents lived in Hot Springs.

The name was changed to Manley Hot Springs in 1957. A small school re-opened in 1958. In 1959, completion of the Elliott Highway gave Manley a road link with Fairbanks during the summer. In 1982, the state began maintaining the highway for year-round use. A new resort with a small swimming pool opened in 1985.

The worst flood in the history of the community was in May 1956. Other floods occurred in 1961, 1962 and 1982.

Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development

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