Nikolaevsk, Kachemak Selo

Near Anchor Point is a unique community of expatriate Russians whose ancestors refused to conform to changes in their traditional Orthodox religion.

After almost 16 generations of seeking places to live where they could preserve their culture, they purchased land in Alaska and the first families arrived in 1968. They called their settlement Nikolaevsk. Alaskan neighbors refer to it as "Russian Village."

In 1975, the first group of these "Old Believers" became citizens of the United States in naturalization ceremonies at Anchor Point School.

Since then, religious and cultural concerns have prompted some families to leave Nikolaevsk to form new communities. Kachemak Selo and other small villages have sprung up at the head of Kachemak Bay.

Most Old Believer men are commercial fishermen and many of the women work in the fish processing plants. Villages also build boats for themselves and for non-Old Believers.

Women and girls wear full skirts and scarves, the men, embroidered shirts, cinched at the waist with woven belts.

Tour buses do not go to Nikolaevsk but interested individuals are welcome to visit. Russian embroidery on garments and decorative items may be available. Go east on the North Fork Road for nine miles, turn left on Nikolaevsk Road and continue about a mile.

You are also likely to see these people working or shopping in their colorful attire in Anchor Point, Homer or elsewhere on the peninsula.