North Pole has all traveler services, including many fine restaurants, fast-food outlets, gas stations, supermarkets, pharmacies and other services. The post office is on Santa Claus Lane.
Hotel North Pole, which has a special “Santa Suite” available, offers lodging year-round; it is located at the far northwest end of the North Pole Plaza parking lot; phone 907- 488-4800. North Pole has a wonderful library, located at 656 NPHS Blvd. (near the high school); phone 907-488-6101; visit https://fnsblibrary.org/np.
Full-service camping at Fairbanks/Chena River KOA, located on Badger Road (turnoff at Milepost V 356.6 on the Richardson Highway). North Pole Public Park, on 5th Avenue, has tent sites in the trees. Dump station available at North Pole Plaza.
North Pole is the home of many Fairbanks commuters but is also one of two energy production centers in Alaska. Almost half of Alaska Railroad’s freight revenue has been from hauling petroleum products made in North Pole. The North Pole area Petro Star Refinery produces heating fuel, jet fuel, asphalt and other petroleum products. Eielson AFB and Fort Wainwright military bases are nearby.
North Pole had its beginnings in 1944, when Bon V. and Bernice Davis homesteaded this area. Dahl and Gaske Development Co. bought the Davis homestead, subdivided it and named it North Pole, hoping to attract a toy manufacturer who could advertise products as being made in North Pole. The city incorporated in 1953 and developed as a theme city: “Where the spirit of Christmas lives year round.” The city’s light poles are painted to look like candy canes.
Local landmark and long-time visitor attraction Santa Claus House (pictured above) was started by Con and Nellie Miller in 1952. A merchant and fur buyer from Fairbanks, Con had been donning an old red Santa suit and entertaining village chil- dren at Christmas since arriving in the territory. Building the Santa Claus House in North Pole proved an inspired next step, as over the years it has garnered international attention.
Antler Academy (of Flying & Reindeer Games), or “Antler Academy” for short, is an exciting reindeer-themed attraction located in the red barn right next door to Santa Claus House in North Pole. You can feed and interact with Santa’s reindeer, learn some of the history and mythology surrounding them, and even have your photo taken with “the reindeer team.” Open to families, though group sizes and the number of children per group are limited for the safety of both the reindeer and visitors. Visitors are welcome to view the reindeer through the fence at any time of the year, at no cost, however, the “in the pen experience” is available during the summer season only, Memorial Day to Labor Day, for an admission fee. For more information, contact Santa Claus House, 1-800-588-4078 or www.santaclaushouse.com.
Special Events: There’s a big summer festival weekend celebration with carnival rides, food booths, arts and crafts booths, and a parade. Every third Friday of the month, celebrate local artists at the Third Friday Art Show at the North Pole Grange.
North Pole has an annual Winter Carnival the first weekend of December with fireworks display, candle and tree lighting ceremonies, food and craft booths and other activities. Starting in December, Christmas In Ice (www.christmasinice.org) is a 6-week winter ice park located next to Santa Claus House in North Pole, featuring Christmas-themed ice art competition pieces, ice slides, kids’ crafts, ice sculpture demonstrations and more.
Radio station KJNP (King Jesus North Pole), operated by Calvary’s Northern Lights Mission, broadcasts music and religious programs on 1170 AM and 100.3 FM radio. The station was started in October 1967, by the late Don and Gen Nelson. The inspiration for the station came one Christmas when weather kept the couple from flying out to their ministry among rural villages. Instead, they broadcast their Christmas message from Fairbanks, and received such an overwhelming response that they started a regular program called “Far North Gospel Song and Hymn Time.”
Visitors are welcome between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Large group tours may be arranged by contacting KJNP; phone 907-488-2216. KJNP is located on Mission Road, about 0.6 mile northeast of the Richardson Highway. The missionary project includes a dozen hand-hewn, sod-roofed homes and other buildings constructed of spruce logs.
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