Description
Heading at the confluence of the Chisana River and the Nabesna River at Northway Junction, flowing NW to the Yukon river, 3.5 mi E of the village of Tanana.
History
Indian name reported by the Western Union Telegraph expedition in 1867 as "Tananah" which according to Dall (1870, p. 281) means "mountain river." The Hudson's Bay Company traders called it "Gens des Buttes" (French meaning "mountain people") which actually referred to the Indians living on its upper course and on the Nabesna River. It was also known as "River of the Mountain Men." The present spelling of the name was recorded in 1885 by Lieutenant Allen (1887, p. 71), USA.