History Soldotna, Alaska

first kenai river bridge in soldotna

in 1947, after world war ii, united states government withdrew number of townships along cook inlet , lower kenai river kenai national moose range, opening area settlement under homestead act. veterans of united states armed services given 90-day preference on non-veterans in selecting land , filing property. in year, sterling highway right-of-way cleared of trees cooper landing kenai. location of present-day soldotna selected site highway s bridge crossing kenai river.

the construction of sterling highway provided link soldotna area outside world. more homesteads taken , visitors came fish in area. soldotna post office opened in 1949 , other businesses opened in next few years.

oil discovered in swanson river region in 1957, bringing new economic development area. in 1960, soldotna incorporated fourth class city population of 332 , area of 7.4 square miles (4,723.4 acres). 7 years later, in 1967, soldotna recognized first class city.

in 1964, kenai peninsula college, kenai peninsula borough government, , kenai peninsula borough school district formed.

the city experienced rapid population growth in 1960s through 1990s result of location @ intersection of 2 major highways , due development of oil industry on kenai peninsula. city , oil industry have matured, population growth has slowed, although city experienced more growth 2000-2010 during previous decade.