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"The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World"
Located on the shores of Kackemak Bay,
Homer was first home to the Pacific Eskimos then the Dena'ina Indians long before the first
caucasians arrived. In the 1850s, Russian explorers discovered large coal deposits in the region. By 1889
several American companies were mining coal. The first post office opened in 1886. By 1902 demand for the region's coal had faded and most miners left, those who remained turned to
farming and salmon fishing. During the early 1930s most of the buildings in the spit burned
in a slow-spreading fire fed by coal that had washed ashore. After WW II, other
abundant seafoods such as halibut, shrimp and crab were added to the already booming salmon harvest.
Although coal is no longer being mined, it still fuels local fires.
Residents collect chunks of the black ore from local beaches, where it is
strewn after big tides and storms which break it from
the veins of coal beds which lie in shallow waters.
Today, Homer is an outdoor vacationers' paradise. Whether one is hiking the numerous
well maintained trails, taking up-close pictures of seals, sea otters and whales while
kayaking in Kachemak Bay, or on a private charter boat fishing for halibut, or bear viewing in
Katmai National Park, or just relaxing by the bay, Homer has it all. Homer is also popular
a gateway to several nearby national and state parks including Katmai, Lake Clark, McNeil River and
Kachemak Bay.
Homer also has a thriving arts community. Local museums and interpretive centers
have kept natural history and native culture alive. For those who enjoy the literary
arts, there are several small local writer's guilds, workshops
and even an annual writers' conference featuring visiting authors. The performing arts
are also very active; a wide variety of local organizations offer theatre, dance
and music. World-class art galleries and artist studios abound.
Several galleries participate in the monthly "1st Friday", which often includes an
opportunity to meet and talk with the artists. Homer is listed as
one of "The 100 Best Small Art Towns America".
Population: 4,846
Location: Homer is situated on southwestern edge
of the Kenai Peninsula. Homer Spit is a sand and gravel bar, which extends 4.5 miles (7.3 km) into Kachemak Bay.
Access: Via the Sterling and Seward Highways, Homer is 225 miles (365 km) southwest of Anchorage. The drive takes about 5 hours.
Regional airline service is available from Anchorage, flight time is 50 minutes.
Additionally, the state ferry system makes regular port calls on Homer.
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