Soldotna

Soldotna is located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough on the western Kenai Peninsula. It lies along the Sterling Hwy and Kenai Spur Highway.

The area has historically been the home to Kenaitze Indians, and was later developed by non-Natives for its rich resources such as fish, oil, and timber. The first homesteaders in the area were WWII veterans given a 90-day preference over non-veterans to secure homestead property in 1947. That year, the Sterling Highway right-of-way was bulldozed from Cooper Landing to Kenai. Soldotna became the site of the Sterling Highway Bridge over the Kenai River. In 1957, oil was discovered in the Swanson River region, spurring new development.

Today Soldotna, population 3,759, is a major Central Peninsula administrative hub. It is home to Central Peninsula General Hospital, Kenai Peninsula College, and the headquarters of the Alaska State Troopers, and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Area recreation includes fishing, sightseeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.