New Russia (trading post)

New Russia Site
Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
New Russia (trading post) is located in Alaska
New Russia (trading post)
LocationSouth of Kardy Lake, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southwest of Yakutat
Nearest cityYakutat, Alaska
Coordinates59°31′37″N 139°49′36″W / 59.52694°N 139.82662°W / 59.52694; -139.82662
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built1796
NRHP reference No.72001593[1]
AHRS No.YAK-029
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 23, 1972
Designated NHLJune 02, 1978[2]
Designated AHRS1971

New Russia (Russian: Новороссийск; also called Novarassi, Slavarassi, Slavorossiya (Russian: Славороссия), Yakutat Colony, and Yakutat Settlement) was a trading-post for furs and a penal colony[3] established by Russians in 1796 in present-day Yakutat Borough, Alaska.[4]: 15–16  It was presumably named after the Joseph Billings ship Slava Rossii, or "Glory of Russia".[5]

The post was attacked and destroyed by Tlingit people in 1805 during the Russo-Tlingit War [ru] of 1802-1805. The 7 buildings inside a stockade, and 5 buildings outside, were burnt in 1805, and the site was never again occupied. The events at New Russia represent a pivotal moment in Russian-Tlingit relations.[5][dead link‍] As an archaeological site, it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978.[2][6]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "New Russia Site". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  3. ^ Baker, Marcus (1902). Geographic Dictionary of Alaska. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin (187 ed.). Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 187. Retrieved May 6, 2022. Glory of Russia. An extinct Russian penal colony established, in 1795, near Ankau creek, on the southeastern shore of Yakutat bay. It has been referred to as the Yakutat colony or settlement, New Russia, Novarassi, Slavarassi, Slawa Rossij, etc.
  4. ^ Khlebnikov, Kiril Timofeevich (1973). Pierce, Richard A. (ed.). Baranov, Chief Manager of the Russian Colonies in America. Materials for the study of Alaska history. Translated by Bearne, Colin. Kingston, Ontario: Limestone Press. ISBN 9780919642508. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  5. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Glory of Russia (historical)
  6. ^ William S. Hanable (January 16, 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: New Russia Site" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 3 photos, exterior and interior, from 1975 and undated. (901 KB)