DESCRIPTION: A community where slightly more than half the population is either Eskimo or Athabascan and whose economy is linked to air transportation, visitor services and government. Rare for a rural community, nine of every 10 heads of household hold jobs, most full-time. The site is accessible by the 30-mile Hickel Trail off the Dalton Highway during winter months, dramatically reducing the cost of goods. The FAA, National Park Service, local school and local government provide year-round jobs. During summer, a BLM firefighting station and guide services for the Brooks Range provide seasonal work. Subsistence activities are important to Native residents. Urban hunters driving up the Dalton Highway also compete for local game.

HISTORY: 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, following wild game and fish with the changing seasons. Evansville was named for Wilford Evans Sr., who owned a trading post and river-barge business in Allakaket. Evans opened a sawmill at the present site of Evansville and built the Bettles Lodge and General Store. In 1948 the FAA constructed an airfield and communications installation at Bettles Field, adjacent to Evansville. The U.S. Navy used these facilities as a support base for exploring National Petroleum Reserve 4. Work opportunities at Bettles Field attracted both Natives and whites to the new airfield. A post office was established at the Bettles Lodge in 1950. A school was constructed in 1956. A health clinic opened in 1980.