Fairbanks to Deadhorse return - Alaska and Points North: Tips and Tales from the Road - page 170

Wiseman
Setting off on the long road back to Fairbanks, the weather alternated between fog, rain, and
patchy blue. Saw some of the magnificent Brooks Range again but most of it was obscured
by fog and low cloud. At times the road was great, at other times it was slick and greasy.
The hills stayed as steep and deep on the way down as they were on the way up.
Stopped at Wiseman, an almost ghost town. It was established in 1907 when miners dis-
coveredgoldinnearbyNolanCreek.Todaymostofthehomesteads areabandonedbutafew
people seem to be scratching out a living here in the old cabins they've renovated. There are
a few newer homes too and a small plane gathering dust at the end of an overgrown runway.
The town has a museum with a lot of photos taken in the past 100 years and contemporary
shots to show what it is like to live here in the winter. There is trading post selling a few
things on the honour system. I bought a crocheted Christmas angel for $15.