The History of Dot Lake

Dot Lake is located on the Alaska Highway, 50 miles northwest of Tok, and 155 road miles southeast of Fairbanks. It lies at approximately 63° 39' N Latitude, 144° 04' W Longitude (Sec. 28, T022N, R007E, Copper River Meridian). The community is located in the Fairbanks Recording District. The area encompasses 37 sq. miles of land and 0 sq. miles of water.

Archaeological evidence at nearby Healy Lake revealed more than 10,000 years of human habitation. Dot Lake was used as a seasonal hunting camp for Athabascans from George Lake and Tanacross. An Indian freight trail ran north to the Yukon River, through Northway, Tetlin, Tanacross and Dot Lake. During construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942-43, a work camp called Sears City occupied Dot Lake's present location. Several local Natives worked on the road project. After 1946, the Charles family and other families moved permanently to Dot Lake from George Lake, Sam Lake and the Tanacross area. A post office and school were built in the late 1940s. The Dot Lake Community Chapel was built in 1949. A licensed children's home was built in the late 1950s. A new children's home was built in 1967, and the existing lodge was built in 1973. Today, the lodge, motel, grocery store and gas station are owned by non-Natives. The Natives have limited local employment opportunities.

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History and map graphic used with permission from the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development