National Register of Historic Places

Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site

Katalla, Valdez-Cordova County, Alaska
Listed
September 5, 1974
Type
Site
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
74002320

About this property

The Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site is a historic industrial site near the ghost town of Katalla, Alaska. It is located at the head of Katalla Slough, an arm of Katalla Bay, and about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of the mouth of the Copper River. The site consists of the ruined remnants of Alaska's first petroleum refinery, which operated from roughly 1911 until 1933, when it was partially destroyed by fire and abandoned. Oil had been discovered in Katalla Bay as early as 1902, and the company was formed to exploit the resource, reportedly producing more than 50,000 gallons of gasoline in 1921. Facilities at the site included a warehouse, tank house, running house, coal house, condensing house, and residence, all of which were reported to be in ruins in 1972.

Location

Katalla, Valdez-Cordova County, Alaska
60.18832, -144.45134

Federal Designation

The National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Park Service, is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural significance. Listing on the National Register recognizes a property's importance to American history but does not place restrictions on private owners; it does, however, make properties eligible for federal historic preservation tax incentives and enables consideration in federal planning decisions. This property is recorded in the National Register under reference number 74002320. It was listed on September 5, 1974.

Categories

INDUSTRY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Questions about this property

When was Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site listed on the National Register?

Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 5, 1974.

What type of historic resource is Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site?

Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site?

The period of significance for Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1902.

Can I research the history near Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More historic places in Alaska

Browse all historic places in Alaska.

View Alaskahistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Alaska history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Alaskahistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Chilkat Oil Company Refinery Site will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report