Barrow is not only the northernmost city in the United States, but also the northernmost in Alaska. However, its history with whaling predates its incorporation into the United States by several centuries, maybe more. Before it was Barrow, the Inupiat who lived there were called Ukpeagvik. Whale hunting provided them with almost everything they needed: whale meat for food, skin and bones for boats, houses, clothing, whalebone for tools and art, blubber for oil, and almost everything else.
When commercial whaling caused devastating damage to the whale population, hunting was banned. The Inupiat, many of whom still live in Barrow, are allowed to harvest 24 whales a year as part of their cultural heritage.
The arch opens to the Arctic Ocean, symbolizing Barrow’s connection to the sea and whaling. The “Gateway to the Arctic” is located on a gray pebble beach with scattered shells of traditional whaling boats and other bones. There is little information about the history of the arch, although sources date it to the end of the 19th century.