World's Largest Gold Pan and Anvil City Square

Anvil City Square is just a few blocks north of Front Street on the corner of Division and Third. This spot celebrates the rich history of Nome and is a must-see for visitors. In one corner of the park is the world’s largest gold pan, which makes for a great photo opportunity, and the statues of the "Three Lucky Swedes," John, Erik and Jafet, who discovered gold in the nearby Anvil Creek and began the "Stampede to Nome," of the Nome Gold Rush, which lasted from 1899–1909 and temporarily made Nome the biggest city in Alaska. Behind the Three Lucky Swedes, is the Umiak display, where the frames of two umiaks (walrus-skin boats) rest upside down on wooden risers. There are also statues of the two Inupiaq boys, Constantine Uparazuck and Gabriel Adams, who according to oral history with showed the Three Lucky Swedes where they could find gold in this area. Old St. Joe’s Hall is one the eastern side of the square and is one of the oldest standing buildings in Nome and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are ample interpretive signs all around the park as well as a recently constructed playground for children ages 2-12 to enjoy.