The Cordova daily times., 1923-03-31
AT NEW OIL TOWN
 AT KANATAK
Standard and Associated Companies Drilling in
 This Field

With the discoverey of wealth pro- ducing sources, either in Alaska or elsewhere, the attention of the pros pector and pioneering class at once becomes centered on the possibilities of accruing that which has brought i thousands to the Northland-the home stake
 1 Since the early days of the Terri tory's history Alaska has become
 spotted with numerous small towns, villages, and, in few instances, near
 cities, all peopled by those who under , take the pioneering hardships in the
 gamble for wealth.
 Within the past few months to the
 westward of Seward another town of the old day class has sprung into ex-
 istence-Kanatak. Located on Port age Bay, and the gateway to the fu- ture development in exploiting of Alaska's treasure sources. Kanatak,
 at present bears the same outward appearance as did Dyea and Skagway in the days of '97 and '9S. Contrary to general belief the town is not To-
 cated on Cold Bay but on Portage
 Bay, which at present is the base of supplies for the Standard Oil and As
 sociated companies. The location of the oil drilling equipment is some 1S
 miles from the town, supplies being tractors and trailers.
 Kanatak is located within the blight
 of a bay which may be likened to a
 horseshoe, with a bar stretching near ly two-thirds of the way across from
 one point The barrier, or reef, in a great measure affords protection to
 the shipping which is compelled to
 anchor while discharging cargo. A sloping beach comprises the landing facilities, with all freight being
 brought to shore in lighters, as is done at Nome, and during the early days at Dyea. The receding tide leaves the lighter high and dry with the unload ing taking place while the tide is out As viewed from the steamers deck the town is of pretentious ap- pearance, covering nearly a mile along the waterfront. Strictly speak ing it is mentioned as of two parts: /, the Old Town and the New Town, i with here and there among the build l ings a two-story structure setting off the many frame houses comprising ! the business portions. Dividing the two sections of the town is an Indian village, which is presented to the wis itor in a nearly primitive state with the barabaras or sod houses and the rest cache for bidarkas. Many of the native abodes are clean in spite of the exterior appearance. Warmth is the main requisite of the native, with appearance receiving secondary con- sideration.
 About an even two dozen business houses comprise the total enterprises of both sections; the Old Town listing eight; the New Town about fifteen.
 Peopled with hundred souls the feeling of optimism is ever present among those who have staked practi- cally their all on the freaks of nature in disclosing the presence of oil-| upon which the hopes and ambitions of those who are pioneering that sec tion are staked. With the announce ment that oil has been struck Kama talk will witness a rush of people which the days of '97 and '9S will not rival. A failure of discovery will blast the future prospects of many who have ventured their all.
 The prospects of realizing the hopes expressed are more than normally good, men who are engaged in drill ing for oil are even more optimistic than the business people; it appears to be only matter of how deep must the drill be sent down into mother earth before the wealth producing fluid is produced-it may be days, weeks or longer. Of the two com
 panies at present engaged in drill ing the Standard Oil employees eigh- teen men, the Associated Oil about thirty The home offices are kept constantly in touch with developments by wireless, each company maintain ing plant and an operator. Opera