The true story of Nome, Alaska proves that truth is stranger than fiction. Roughly two dozen beloved residents of this remote Alaska town went missing between 1960 and 2004, sparking nationwide uproar about the whole town in Alaska that disappeared. So much so that Universal Pictures hopped on filming a major motion picture about the Nome, Alaska disappearances, which was released in 2009. With rumors circulating of UFO involvement, alien abduction, and even a serial killer – the community was desperate for answers. Let’s take a closer look at the mystery of the Nome, Alaska disappearances:

Flickr/Joseph
Flickr - Sir Mildred Pierce
The northwestern town of Nome, Alaska is located on the southern edge of the Seward Peninsula on Norton Sound. This particular area is said to have more reported alien object sightings than anywhere else in The Last Frontier.
Flickr/Don Henise
Flickr - Joseph
What is surprising is that there are actually no roads or even a ferry system leading into (or out of) Nome, so once you're there, you're stuck until the next flight comes along. That's right, an airplane is by far your best means of transportation to and from this small community. So if you think you see a UFO, consider that it might just be a plane.
Flickr - Joseph
Nome is also known for its incredibly harsh winters. Between November and March, it is common to have temps sitting well below zero degrees and ranging between -10 and -55 degrees Fahrenheit. As you can surely imagine, the frozen wonderland and dark sky can take their toll on even the most seasoned sourdoughs.

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With a year-round population of under 4,000 residents, the small community of Nome isn't known for being a major economic hub or a place that tourists flock to. In fact, what seems to have gotten the most people talking about this isolated community is the disappearance of 24 people that happened between the 1960s and 2004. These all occurred in Nome and throughout the surrounding villages.
Flickr/Joseph
Initially, the Nome, Alaska disappearances were believed to be the work of a serial killer. The reasoning was that a serial killer had to be involved due to the large number of people that had gone missing. Family and friends of the missing people, as well as the whole community, were on edge 24/7 thinking about who could be lurking around their community and preying on the innocent.
Flickr - Sir Mildred Pierce
Although you might not expect these large numbers of disappearances to occur in such a remote and desolate area, you might be surprised to learn that there are roughly 350 miles of roads radiating from Nome that lead deep into some of Alaska’s most scenic, pristine country. The rugged and lonely vastness would be easy to disappear into and never be found. Translation: hundreds of miles of private roads that are perfect for a UFO abduction or worse, dumping a body.
Wikipedia
In fact, the Nome, Alaska disappearances gained such worldwide attention that a Hollywood movie called 'The Fourth Kind' was even released in 2009. The sci-fi thriller was set in the town and largely told the tale of how a whole town disappeared in Alaska - the missing people in Nome, Alaska were assumed to be UFO-related. It was later found to be largely misleading as it was marketed as a documentary and, in fact, was just a misrepresentation of actual facts surrounding these disappearances. The movie is in essence a conspiracy theory that centers around the reason for the missing people being alien abduction.
Flickr - Sir Mildred Pierce
So what is the truth behind all of these missing people? Is it a UFO, an alien abduction, a serial killer, or simply human error? Through FBI investigation, it was determined that these disappearances were largely a combination of excessive alcohol consumption and harsh winter climate. So if you head to the bar and load up on booze thinking that you will just walk home afterwards, don't bank on making it too far in the bone-chillingly-cold weather that awaits you outdoors.
Flickr - Joseph
Although these tragic events have left a dark stain on history, the community of Nome is tough and resilient through even the toughest of times. May all those who disappeared and lost their lives forever rest in peace.

While we’re on the topic of the Alaskan disappearances, this other creepy small town in Alaska could be right out of a horror movie. If this true story of Nome, Alaska missing people intrigues you, read the truly creepy story behind this haunted hotel in Alaska. Or if you want a less… spirited place to stay, take a look at Hotels.com for some all-star accommodations.

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Whittier has been called the ‘weirdest in America’ and has only one way in and one way out of town. The majority of the 200 year-round residents live under the same roof at the 14-story Begich Towers, which also contains municipal services like police and post office, a school, a store, a church, and a health center. 

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The Last Frontier is home to its very own Area 51. The High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Project, or HAARP, was once a high-security facility that housed a secret project in the middle of the woods. One purpose of this military base was to study the aurora borealis, but other rumors circulated. One such rumor was that the facility existed to control the weather in Alaska while another rumor is that it was a Cold War weapon to control weather and communication in Russia. Although this place was once top-secret, the University of Alaska holds an open house once a year allowing visitors to check it out. 

What is it like to live in Alaska?

Living in Alaska is fascinating, between the incredible scenery, amazing fishing, and friendly people. But there are reasons the largest state in the nation has such a small population relative to its size. Alaska: 

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