Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Tanana Valley

TANANA VALLEY, a district, watered by the River Tanana and its tributaries, belonging to the Yukon watershed, Alaska. Area, 25,000 square miles. Pop. (white) about 7,000, the natives, Tananas, decreasing in number. During twelve months ending in 1915 gold valued at $66,000,000 was mined. Gold is the chief mineral, though coal beds extend from Upper Nenana to the Delta river, and in the Bonnefield district there is an area of 600 square miles with lignite coal. On the whole the abundant grass, rich soil and extensive woodland make the Tanana valley a favorable region for settlement, and it is estimated that there will soon be at least 50,000 acres under homestead.