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scenery and friendly, colorful residents. Commercial
Cordova Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 404
Location: Situated on the southeast shore of
Prince William Sound in southcentral Alaska.
There is Alaska Marine Highway service
between Valdez, Cordova and Whittier, and If you are looking for an authentic Alaskan
48-minute daily jet service from Anchorage.
Population: 2585. Visitor Information: Cordova
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fishing is the lifeblood of Cordova with nearly every
family benefiting from the world-famous Copper River
Salmon fishery. Hike some of the best maintained
USFS trails in the state or experience one of Cordova’s
many homegrown festivals. Glacier, rain forest,
wetland, and ocean adventures await you in this quaint
See Video fishing village situated at the base of the Chugach
Mountains, along the eastern shores of Prince William
Sound and the Copper River Delta. Cordova’s rustic
charm can transport visitors back in time to the rural
America of the mid-twentieth century and is a must-see
destination on any Alaska vacation.
Modern-day Cordova owes its origin to Michael J.
Heney, builder of the Copper River and Northwestern
Eagles at Cordova Harbor
photo by: Railway. The town was chosen as the railroad terminus
VC TRAVEL GUIDE and ocean-shipping port for copper ore transported
by rail from the Kennecott mines near Kennecott and
McCarthy. The railroad and town prospered until 1938
when the mine closed. Following the end of copper
First Street; Phone: (907) 424-7260; Website: mining activity, seafood became the area’s major
www.cordovachamber.com. economic base. Cordova was considered the “Razor
Clam Capitol of the World” until the legendary 1964
Earthquake, which exposed their beds. But resilient
experience, Cordova is a community immersed in the Cordova switched gears and focused on herring. That
culture of the outdoors and known for its breathtaking fishery flourished until the infamous Exxon Valdez
oil spill in 1989 decimated the region. But Cordova
survived and today their fishery is more successful
than ever. Its world-renowned Copper River salmon
is prized for its richness and flavor with a high
concentration of heart-healthy Omega 3 fatty acids,
and celebrated for the well-managed and sustainable
oversight that keeps the population healthy.
The scenic harbor is full of fishing boats, such as
the small flat-bottomed gillnet boats, well suited for the
silt laden shallow waters at the mouth of the Copper
River. The larger seine boats are set up for plying the
waters of Prince William Sound for salmon. Even
larger, the tenders proudly display the banners of the
fish processing plants for which they are buying. It
is common to see fishermen on the docks mending