Portlock, Alaska: Bigfoot's Nanak & a Town's Abandonment

Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2025

By Squatchable.com staff

In the remote wilderness of Portlock, Alaska, there lies a chilling secret that has been buried by the government for decades. This forgotten town, once home to a thriving community, is now haunted by eerie legends of shadowy figures and an ancient terror linked to Bigfoot. But this isn't just a piece of folklore, it's a spine-tingling tale that has been silenced for years. The Cryptid Report, a YouTube channel dedicated to uncovering the truth behind cryptids and unexplained phenomena, recently shared the haunting story of Portlock and the government's efforts to keep it hidden from the public. Portlock's history dates back to the late 18th century when British Royal Navy Captain Nathaniel Portlock stumbled upon a beautiful bay and claimed it for himself. The town really began to take shape in the early 20th century as the Alaskan fishing industry boomed, attracting workers from all over, including Russian elites and Native Alaskans. By 1921, Portlock had grown enough to establish its own post office. However, something wasn't quite right in this seemingly peaceful town. In 1905, native workers at the cannery started experiencing unsettling occurrences in the surrounding wilderness. These rumors persisted and in 1931, logger Andrew Camlu was found dead under mysterious circumstances. His body showed signs of a massive head wound, but the circumstances surrounding his death left more questions than answers. But the most chilling element of Portlock's early history came in the form of mysterious large human-like footprints found in the vicinity of the town. These tracks measured an astonishing 18 inches in length and didn't appear to belong to any known wildlife species. Locals began to whisper about a creature known as Nanak, a half-man, half-beast entity said to haunt the forests of Alaska. By the 1940s, the fear and uncertainty surrounding Portlock reached a boiling point. People had heard enough stories, witnessed enough strange happenings, and seen enough evidence to make them reconsider their commitment to this remote town. In 1950, Portlock's post office was officially closed, signaling the end of the town's brief existence. The true reasons for Portlock's abandonment may never be fully known, but the town's eerie silence today speaks volumes. Its history serves as a chilling reminder that sometimes the things that scare us the most aren't always the ones we can see, but the things we can't explain no matter how hard we try. If you're intrigued by this haunting story, be sure to check out The Cryptid Report's video on Portlock, Alaska. It's a fascinating look into a forgotten town and the mysterious terror that still haunts the land.