In the mid-1800s, the Russian American Co. devised a plan for aging employees to remain in its colony of Alaska by developing settlements for pensioners and their Native or Creole (a mixture of Native and non-Native) wives and children. Ninilchik was one of those settlements.

Commercial fishing was once Ninilchik's economic mainstay. Some of the 800 residents continue that lifestyle, while others work at small local businesses, provide road maintenance or are employed at Ninilchik School or Ninilchik Traditional Council. Others are employed in neighboring communities or in Alaska's oil industry.

Visitors flock to the area to fish in Ninilchik River, Deep Creek and Cook Inlet or to dig clams along the shore. The summertime crowd fills private and state campgrounds. The Deep Creek boat launch stays busy with fishermen on private and charter boats eager to hook into a halibut or king salmon.

A Memorial Day weekend pancake breakfast feeds hundreds and raises funds for Ninilchik Emergency Services, a volunteer organization.

The Kenai Peninsula State Fair is Ninilchik's pride and joy, attracting thousands of visitors the three days its gates are open. The Ninilchik Rodeo has drawn increasingly bigger audiences since beginning in the 1960s.

During the winter, Ninil-chik is a beehive of activity for backcountry snow-machiners.

For more information:

• Kenai Peninsula State Fair, (907) 567-3670

• Ninilchik Chamber of Commerce, 567-3571, www.ninilchikchamber.com

• State campgrounds: www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/index.htm.