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the Childs Glacier and Million Dollar Bridge area via
ILANKA CULTURAL CENTER airboat and plane. It is not uncommon to see Child’s
Glacier actively “calve” house-sized chunks of ice into
A Living Legacy in the Heart of Cordova the river with a thunderous roar. Wildlife such as black
bear, moose, beaver, mountain goats, trumpeter swans,
and numerous other species of birds can be observed
share the stories, and knowledge passed along the road. The historic Million Dollar Bridge lies
down through generations. Each piece in the in the same vicinity.
museum holds deep meaning—many ancestral Completed in 1910 at a cost of 1.4 million dollars,
belongings were once traded, stolen, or kept the remote location of the bridge, its impressive
in collections across the globe, and those that 1600-foot length and cantilevered design made it
remain are treated with reverence and care. an engineering marvel of its time. The bridge was
Beyond its exhibits, Ilanka hosts community originally constructed as part of the 196-mile railroad
events and workshops that help keep traditions system built by J.P. Morgan and the Guggenheim
alive—whether it’s through language, dance, or family to transport $200 million worth of copper ore
the passing on of traditional skills. The center
is a place of preservation and outreach, where from the Kennicott mine to the port of Cordova, for
cultural traditions are thriving and visitors are shipping to Tacoma, Washington. The mine closed in
Tucked between the sparkling waters of encouraged to explore and connect. 1938 and work began in the 1950s to convert the old
Prince William Sound and the winding beauty The Ilanka Cultural Center Gift Store railbed to a roadway.
of the Copper River Delta, Cordova, Alaska is is proud to feature Indigenously created During the 1964 Good Friday earthquake, the
a place where wild landscapes and rich history artwork, jewelry, wallets, slippers, hats, and a northernmost span collapsed into the Copper River,
collide. Nestled in the heart of the Chugach wide variety of other handmade items—not halting further development of the Copper River
Rainforest, this small coastal town holds just from around Alaska, but also from local Highway and creating one of Cordova’s most
deep cultural roots and an enduring spirit of Indigenous artists in Cordova. It’s a meaningful photographed attractions. Flooding in 1995 raised the
resilience—and at its center stands the Ilanka way for visitors to support Native artisans and possibility that the earthquake damaged bridge would
Cultural Center. take home a piece of authentic culture. ultimately collapse into the river, depositing debris on
Located right along Cordova’s main street, For travelers looking to experience a more Miles Glacier and harming the Copper River salmon
the Ilanka Cultural Center is more than just meaningful side of Alaska, a stop at the Ilanka run. State engineers determined that even with a $19
a museum. It’s a vibrant gathering space, Cultural Center offers just that—a chance to million price tag, it would be far less costly to repair
gift shop, Tribal library, and cultural anchor engage with the voices, history, and art of the the bridge than to remove it or clean up after a more
operated by the Native Village of Eyak—a people who have called this region home for serious collapse.
federally recognized Tribal government centuries. Whether you’re exploring Cordova’s The mammoth undertaking of stabilizing and
working to preserve and revitalize Indigenous scenic beauty or discovering its cultural
heritage. depth, the center offers a unique and moving repairing the bridge began in the fall of 2003. Work
The Ilanka Cultural Center, created in 2004 perspective. crews labored year-round through the winter for two
under the guidance of respected Elders, had A visit to Ilanka isn’t just a journey into the years under some of the most severe conditions in the
a powerful mission: to protect and share the past—it’s an encounter with a living culture, world. Steel workers spent long hours suspended over
diverse cultural legacy of the Eyak people. The one that’s growing, healing, and thriving in the the icy waters of the Copper River for most of this time.
center also recognizes the deep connections present. And in a place as breathtaking and The work entailed raising Span Four of the Bridge out
between the Eyak, Sugpiaq (Alutiiq), Chugach, soulful as Cordova, it’s a reminder that Alaska’s
Tlingit, and Ahtna Athabascan peoples, whose greatest treasures are not just its mountains
histories, trade routes, and cultures have and pristine waters, but the stories of the
long been intertwined in this region. “Ilanka” people who continue to shape them.
means “family” in Sugt’stun, the language of A place of living history, the Ilanka Cultural
the Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) people, and that spirit of Center honors and shares the heritage of our
unity is immediately felt the moment you walk Native people. Visit our Tribal Museum and
through its doors. browse the gift store featuring handcrafted art
The center serves as a powerful symbol of by local Tribal Members and unique Indigenous-
cultural preservation and education. Inside, made items from across Alaska. Experience
visitors will find precious artifacts, handmade culture, connection, and community in every
regalia, traditional artwork, and exhibits that visit.

their nets or tenders tied alongside one of the many
processing plants adjacent to Cordova’s harbor where
they offload fishermen’s catches.
Locally owned and operated flight charter
companies can take you soaring above the delta
in charter planes and helicopters. Hunting, fishing
and outdoor adventure charters can guide you to the
Cordova area’s secret places. Combination jet boat/
ATV operators can escort you to the Million Dollar
Bridge and Childs Glacier.
Although erosion has at least temporarily limited
road access for the last quarter of the trip, the drive
along the Copper River Highway heading east
from downtown Cordova through the river delta is
considered one of Alaska’s most scenic. The highway
passes through a spectacular landscape of rugged
mountains and glaciers, icy blue ponds, and fishing
streams, where the short side road to Sheridan Glacier
at mile 13 is a must do. The road used to terminate at
the Childs Glacier Recreation Area, a popular hiking
and sightseeing spot where the impressive 350’ glacier
meets the Copper River. A washout at Bridge 339 has
made the 49-mile road impassible from Mile 36 on,
but tour operators are available to shuttle visitors to

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