North Pole History & Economy

North Pole was first homesteaded in 1944 by a farmer named Bon Davis,who, along with several other founding fathers, chose the name North Pole for the area in an effort to attract toy manufacturers. While this dream was never fulfilled, the Spirit of Christmas nevertheless thrives in North Pole through its street names, decorations, community events, and the efforts of an enterprising young merchant named Con Miller. As a bush trader and trading post operator in the 1950's, Con Miller developed a reputation for playing Santa Claus to the Native children in Alaskan villages. He named his trading post in North Pole the Santa Claus House. The original Santa Claus House is pictured above. Artifacts from the original Santa Claus House are displayed at a newer Santa Claus House which is located at 101 St. Nicholas Dr. in North Pole.

The city of North Pole was incorporated in 1953 and is a home-rule city covering 4.1 square mile in the city limits. It operated its own schools until the Fairbanks North Star Borough was formed in 1964 and began operating all area schools. North Pole is home to varied commercial businesses, retail shopping malls, medical practices, churches, service organizations, and the farthest North Christian Radio Station, KJNP.

North Pole maintains full-time fire, police, utility, and public works departments for its 2,200 residents, partially funded through property taxes and a 4% sales tax within city limits. Population for the North Pole area is significantly higher at 30,000 within a 15 mile radius of city limits.

In 1975, the North Pole Refinery, now owned and operated by Flint Hills Resources, became the major industry. Since then, a second refinery, Petro Star, has been constructed. Both refineries produce most of the aviation and heating fuels in the state. North Pole is situated mid-way between two large military establishments, Eielson AFB and Ft. Wainwright Army Base, which provide many of the military and support service jobs that help sustain the local economy.