Alaska’s Kuskokwim River Region: A History

In 1985, Michael C. Brown wrote an account of the history of the Kuskokwim River region starting from the Gold Rush era. There are several references to Georgetown, George Hoffman and George Fredericks.

According to the report, in 1909, two prospectors named Anderson and Kleland discovered goal on Julian Creek, a tributary of the George River. As a result, numerous prospectors moved from Iditarod and other mining sites along the Kuskokwim to Georgetown. The Kuskokwim Commercial Company and Northern Commercial company established trading posts and warehouses at Georgetown. Independent traders, including George Hoffman and George Fredericks, also opened trading posts. In January 1911, a Fairbanks newspaper said of the community: “Georgetown has a fine townsite. Three hundred or more cabins stand and the present population.” But “the rush was unwarranted and short-lived. By 1912, the population around Georgetown was less than fifteen.” In 1914, the Northern . Commercial Company store closed, and some time prior to 1917 the Kuskokwim Commercial Company closed its store.

George Fredericks is described as “well-known trapper”. In July 1906 he traveled from the Kuskokwim to Nome "after a most successful Winter's hunting with 100 beaver, 700 marten, 150 mink, 150 fox, 25 otter, 100 lynx, and some ermine and bear skins for a total value of about $15,000”. In 1907, he established a trading post in Napaimiut. In late June 1912, “geologist J. F. Newsom left Flat for Georgetown, where he hired George Fredericks to pilot a "fast launchII up the Aniak River as far as it could be taken”. In 1914, he is quoted as saying that an “old blind Native once told him that the Russians had found gold in both New York Creek and Black River about 1844”.

George Hoffman had many roles. He established a trading post in Napaimiut in 1907 which he operated until his death in 1932. He also had a trading post in Georgetown, and served as the US Commissioner in Napaimiut. He is credited as marking the sections of the open trail between Napaimiut and the mouth of the Aniak every 50 feet with stakes and red flags.

Citation: Brown, Charles Michael. Alaska's Kuskokwim River region: a history. Bureau of Land Management, State Office, 1985.