Archeological digs indicate that early Alutiq people probably camped in the Homer area although their villages were on the far side of Kachemak Bay. Coal was discovered in the area in the 1890s. The Cook Inlet Coal Fields Company built a town, dock, coal mine, and a railroad at Homer. Coal mining in the area continued until World War II. There are an estimated 400 million tons of coal deposits still in the area.

Homer was named for Homer Pennock, a gold mining company promoter, who arrived in 1896 on what is now the Homer Spit and built living quarters for his crew of 50 men. However, gold mining was never profitable in the area. Currently, tourism, sport fishing, commercial fishing and logging are important industries in the Homer area. Homer, Alaska attracts a multitude of artists who produce and sell artwork in many different genres.

Homer was founded in 1896 by gold seekers. Among these early adventurers was Homer Pennock, from whom the town took its name. Near the turn of the century, coal mines were developed; and eventually, one of Alaska’s first railroads was built to haul coal to waiting ships anchored off Homer Spit. The mines and railway shut down during World War II.

The original town at the end of Homer Spit burned down when an exposed coal seam caught fire, and the town was rebuilt on the present town-site. Homer became a city in 1964. The town’s economy is based on tourism, farming, fishing and seafood processing.

The beauty of the town has inspired painters, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodcarvers, and doll makers to create magnificent works that can be found at local art galleries, gift shops or studios in throughout the Homer Alaska area. At the Pratt Museum, you will also find an excellent selection of traditional Alaskan art.

A good deal of the halibut fishing in Homer Alaska occurs around the waters of the Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay. This area is known for some of the largest and tastiest halibut in the world. With that in mind, if you are planning to do any halibut fishing in Homer Alaska, it behooves you to have heavy gear. Many anglers prefer to drop a heavily weighted, baited-hook or artificial lure overboard to jig just above the ocean floor.

Once the halibut is hooked, it will need to be reeled to the surface. Make sure you get in shape prior to going halibut fishing in Homer Alaska. This process is a strenuous workout. Fortunately, many of the halibut, once hooked will float to the surface without a fight. They may well be preserving their energy for thrashing about once they are on the ship.