McGrath is an important communications, transportation and supply center for interior Alaska. The same is true for the Iditarod. McGrath is one of the major hubs for the race. The village hosts a checkpoint in the community center. A race logistics center is located in the Café near the airstrip. Once the race moves over the Alaskan Range to the interior, Iditarod Air Force planes are based in McGrath. Supplies and personnel arrive via larger planes and then are distributed to interior checkpoints by the IAF. Iditarod operates a dropped dog hub in McGrath. Dogs arrive via IAF planes from surrounding checkpoints and depart for Anchorage on larger aircraft. Villagers provide food for the mushers and spend countless hours supporting the race. School children sell hotdogs and baked goods at the checkpoint to support special school projects. Athabascan crafts are for sale at the tribal office. Many tourists come to the village to experience the race first hand. The village welcomes Iditarod and the Iditarod Trail Committee appreciates everything the community does for the race.      

Long before the gold rush, McGrath was a meeting and trading place for Kuskokwim Athabascan. After gold was discovered in 1906, McGrath became a regional trading center. It was the farthest point north Barges could travel on the Kuskokwim River. In 1907 the town was established and named for Peter McGrath a local U.S. Marshal. From the time gold was discovered in 1906 until 1925, thousands, of people walked or mushed on the mail and supply trail know as the Iditarod Trail through McGrath on their way to the Ophir gold mines in the Innoko Mining District.

Initially, McGrath was across the river from its present location but in 1933 a major flood wiped out much of the old town and rerouted the river causing residents and businesses to move to the other bank of the river. In 1937, the Alaska Commercial Company opened a new store. With planes becoming safer and more popular for delivering people, mail and supplies, an airstrip was cleared in 1940. About that same time, the first school was built. Today the village is the center of the Iditarod School District. During World War II McGrath was an important refueling stop. Most of the gold mining in the area ceased years ago because of falling prices.

Well, there you have a glimpse of McGrath and its history along with the important role it plays as a hub for The Last Great Race. Sunrise and sunset delight the eye with the stunning beauty of the area.