Location and Climate

Hughes is located on a 500-foot bluff on the east bank of the Koyukuk River , about 115 air miles northeast of Galena and 210 air miles northwest of Fairbanks . The community lies at approximately 66.048890° North Latitude and -154.255560° (West) Longitude (Sec. 33, T008N, R022E, Kateel River Meridian ). 

Hughes is located in the Ft. Gibbon Recording District. 

The area encompasses 3.1 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water. The area has a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 degrees Fahrenheit; the average low during January is well below zero. Extended periods of -40 degrees Fahrenheit are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 90; the lowest, -68.  Average precipitation is 13 inches, with 30 inches of snowfall. The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.

History and Culture

Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. Hughes was used as a trade center between Athabascans and Eskimos.

Roy ( Frederick ) Hughes prospected an area two miles upstream in 1884. However, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the community was named in 1910 after New York Gov. Charles Hughes. It served as a riverboat landing and supply port for the Indian River gold fields until 1915 when the local mining industry declined. The local Natives stayed on, however, and a post office was established in 1942. An airstrip was built in the 1950s, a school in 1956, and a clinic in 1968. The city was incorporated in 1973, and local roads were built in 1974. A community-wide electric system was developed in 1981. In September 1994, flood waters destroyed and swept away nearly all of the community's buildings, homes, and food caches for the winter. Residents have rebuilt homes and facilities. 

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Hughes Village (a.k.a. Hut'odleekkaakk'et Tribe). The population of the community is 79.5% Alaska Native or part Native. Hughes is a Koyukon Athabascan village. Traditional ways of life persist -- potlatches and dog races attract visitors from surrounding river villages.  

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care

A community water distribution system and individual household septic tanks were constructed in 1968. Initially the system worked well, and was expanded in 1973. However, the system froze during 1983, leaving only a few facilities operational. In 1984, 30 outhouses were constructed to replace the frozen septic systems. Many Hughes residents haul treated water from the central watering point. Eleven houses are served with piped water, plus the school, teacher's apartments, clinic and City and Tribal offices. The community facilities are connected to septic tanks.

No homes have complete plumbing; most use honeybuckets and outhouses. A feasibility study has been completed to identify sanitation improvements. The City uses an incinerator to reduce the volume of refuse, and participates in a recycling program. Preliminary work has begun on a new landfill site, new sewage lagoon, and water treatment improvements. Electricity is provided by Hughes Power & Light. There is one school and a health clinic.  Hughes is classified an isolated village, and is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region.  Emergency services have river and air access and is provided by volunteers and a health aide. 

Economy and Transportation

Subsistence is the focus of the local economy. Salmon, freshwater fish, moose, black bear, rabbits, waterfowl and berries are utilized. Caribou are also sought when available. Most cash is earned from part-time jobs with the city, school, tribal clinic or store. BLM emergency fire fighting, construction work, skin sewing, beadwork, sled building, and trapping also provide seasonal income.

River transportation is very important to Hughes, although barge service is not reliable due to shallow water. Most fuel and heavy freight is brought in by air. A lighted, gravel 3,400' long by 100' wide runway is maintained and owned by the State of Alaska. Snowmachines, ATVs and skiffs are used for local transportation. The frozen river serves as an ice road during winter.

See photos of Hughes at the UAF Jukebox project.