History

People began setting in Lake Clark about 14,000 years ago.

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History Details

It is believed that people began settling in the Lake Clark area about 14,000 years ago, after the last Ice Age, but they left few traces of their ways of life and identities. What we do know is that the Dena'ina Athabascan people have lived in the area for thousands of years, and gave Lake Clark its first name, Qizhjeh Vena, which means "a place where people gather." Descendants of the Dena'ina Athabascan still rely on the land for food. In the 18th century, Russian explorers and missionaries found their way to Lake Clark, and were quickly followed by prospectors, trappers, and entrepreneurs from throughout Western Europe, Canada, and the U.S. After visiting the area a few times in the 1960s, Richard "Dick" Proenneke decided to relocate to Upper Twin Lake and began construction of his cabin in 1968, harvesting spruce trees and using local materials and simple tools. Proenneke lived in his isolated wilderness home for the next 30 years without modern conveniences like electricity, running water, or a phone. His cabin is open throughout the year to visitors, and the park rangers lead daily tours from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve was established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

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