Empire's Edge : American Society in Nome, Alaska, 1898-1934

"In 1898, Nome, Alaska, burst into the American consciousness when one of the largest gold strikes in the world occurred on its shores. Over the next ten years, Nome's population exploded as both men and women came north to seek their fortunes. Closer to Siberia than to New York, Nome's citizens created their own version of small-town America on the northern frontier. Less than 150 miles from the Arctic Circle, they weathered the Great War and the diphtheria epidemic of 1925 as well as floods, fires, and the Great Depression. They enlivened the Alaska winters with pastimes such as high-school basketball and social clubs. Empire's Edge is the story of how ordinary Americans made a life on the edge of a continent--a life both ordinary and extraordinary."--pub. desc In 1898, Nome, Alaska, burst into the American consciousness whenone of the largest gold strikes in the world occurred on itsshores. Over the next ten years, Nome's population exploded as bothmen and women came north to seek their fortunes. Closer to Siberiathan to New York, Nome's citizens created their own version ofsmall-town America on the northern frontier. Less than 150 milesfrom the Arctic Circle, they weathered the Great War and thediphtheria epidemic of 1925 as well as floods, fires, and the GreatDepression. They enlivened the Alaska winters with pastimes such ashigh-school basketball and social clubs. Empire's Edge isthe story of how ordinary Americans made a life on the edge of acontinent-a life both ordinary and extraordinary