TURA

Tura takes very important place in the district. Tura became the advanced post of the advancement of civilization, new public-political, cultural and economic relations on the territory which is occupied by Evenkies, Yakuts, Kets.

Several years ago instead of the settlement Tura was taiga. Before 1917 the only merchant Savateev's house and his warehouse were built in the place of two rivers' junction (Nijnaya Tunguska and Kochechum). The merchant conducted the barter with Tungus people. Later Savateev (who offended the aborigines) was banished by Turukhansk police-officer. Suzdalev bought Savateev's trade. He was worse than the previous merchant but he was swept off by the revolutionary events.

But the merchant's house was of use. In 1924 the instructor of the district executive committee Elizar Sergeevich Savelev was sent to the territory of Ilimpeisky tundra. On the 5th of March he held a meeting with Tungus of Chapogirsky kin (Miroshkol). Their camp of nomads was situated not far from the former merchant's house. The instructor made this house the Administration of Ilimpisky executive committee. At the same meeting Tura was made the Administrative center.

The name "Tura" came from the river's name "Turu" (it is one of the most probable versions).
According to the other version this place was used by the aboriginals in the capacity of stand. It was called "Tur" (it means "Stop"). During the archaeological excavations (which were made in different times) polished and unpolished stone implements (which were used by ancient Evenkies) were found on the place of modern district center. Gun's lock from the old firelock was also found. It means that this place was chosen for stands by several Tungus generations. And the name "Tura" was formed historically.

In 1926 the All-Union Central Executive Committee proved the "Temporary regulation about the native nations management". According to this regulation the North nation self-government institutions were formed: tribal soviets, tribal assemblies, district native executive committees, etc. In 1927 Ilimpisky district native executive committee was organized. The center of this Committee was in Tura cultural base (this base was the first in the North).

F.J. Babkin was the first chief of the cultural base. The first objects of the cultural institutions were: the primary boarding school, the evening youth school, the indigene's House, hospital, post office, etc. The hotel, library and the Museum of Regional Studies were situated in the indigene's House. Evenkies were learnt to read and write, the concerts of amateur art activities were conducted. Later the courses of building and cooperative work were organized for Evenks. The reading House was built. In 1928 the first steamer "Cooperator" came to Tura. Since that time the regular river communication with "The Big land" in the navigation period was established. In 1935 the well-known polar pilot Yan Stepanovich Lipp made the air way from Krasnoyarsk to Tura.

In 1933 the first issue of district newspaper "Evenki new life" was printed. In 1936 the radiocasting was established. In 1938 Tura got the status of "working settlement". In 1943 Tura medical college was opened. In 1950 Tura avia-subdivision was organized. Tura citizens who made a valuable contribution in the process of progressive life development were entered in the chronicle for ever. They are: the first chief of Tura cultural base F.J. Babkin, the first doctors S.N. Bushmarin, D.A. Kitmanov, L.A. Simonova, the first founder of district newspaper E.S. Mashukov, the first chairman of the district executive committee I.F. Pervuhin, the first Depute of Supreme Soviet of the USSR from Evenkiya A.D. Davidkin, the first scientist V.N. Uvachan, etc.

In 1924 E.S. Vasilev wrote in his report: "The indigenes of Ilimpiskaya tundra are still in the primitive society". Later the first specialists came to Tura to make the new life. They gave the native population access to the civilization. In Tura Evenks got necessary medical help, education and upbringing. Among the native population appeared the art workers, political men, specialists of all types. Tura played the main role in their fates.

Nowadays 5,5 thousand people live in Tura. Because of the economic crises the number of industrial enterprises decreased. But we hope that these difficulties are temporary. Soon Tura will be the blooming center of independent subject of Russian Federation.