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Central
(SEN-trul)
For Photos of Central click here
For a Map of Central click here
| Current Population: |
95
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Location
and Climate |
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Central is located on the Steese Highway about 125 miles northeast of Fairbanks and 28 miles southwest of Circle. Circle Hot Springs is located nearby. The community
lies at approximately 65.572500° North Latitude
and -144.803060° West Longitude.
(Sec. 27, T009N, R014E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Central is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
Central has a continental subarctic climate, characterized by seasonal extremes of temperature. Winters are long and harsh, and summers warm and short. The average high temperature during July ranges from 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low temperature during January is well below zero. Extended periods of -50 to -60 degrees Fahrenheit are common. Extreme temperatures have been measured, ranging from a low of -71 to a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation averages 6.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 43.4 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Central
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| After discovery of gold in the Circle Mining District in the 1890s, a centrally-located roadhouse was needed between Circle, a supply point on the Yukon, and the mining operations at Mammoth, Mastodon, Preacher and Birch Creeks. Central House, originally built around 1894, was located at the supply trail's crossing of Crooked Creek. It became the center of a small community of miners who settled there and provided food and shelter to travelers and support services to nearby miners. In 1906, the Alaska Road Commission began construction of a wagon road to replace the primitive pack trail from Circle to Birch Creek mining operations. By 1908, construction had reached Central. The original roadhouse burned to the ground and was rebuilt in the mid-1920s. A post office was established in 1925. In 1927, the road link to Fairbanks was completed. The road was named the Steese Highway in honor of General James Steese, former president of the Road Commission. Mining continued until the beginning of World War II. After the war, a few miners returned to Central, but mining declined through the 1950s and 60s. Activity increased again in the mid-1970s with the rise in gold prices. In 1978, the Circle Mining District was the most active in Alaska, with 65 gold mining operations employing over 200 people.
The population of the community consists of 9.7%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Central provides services to area residents, including Circle Hot Springs.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 169, and vacant housing units numbered 102.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 98.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 50 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
13.79 percent,
although
55.75 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $36,875, per capita income was $22,593, and
22.46 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Approximately 25% of homes here are occupied year-round. These typically have individual wells, septic systems and complete plumbing. The majority of summer-use homes haul water from local creeks or watering points at the local hotels, and use outhouses. The landfill is located on DNR land at mile 124.6 Steese Hwy..
Electricity is provided by Central Electric, Inc.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 12
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Fairbanks hospitals.
Central is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Central Rescue Squad (520-5330/520-5228) or Fairbanks (125 road miles).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Central has a cash economy based on providing seasonal support for mining operations in the area. The Circle District Museum attracts seasonal visitors, although Circle Hot Springs closed in October 2002. A number of individuals live in the area only seasonally. Subsistence and recreational activities provide food sources for the year-round residents. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit.
The community is on the Steese Highway, which accesses Fairbanks. Year-round maintenance by the Department of Transportation enabled goods to be delivered on a regular schedule by truck. A State-owned 2,782' long by 60' wide gravel airstrip is available. Boats are used for recreation and fishing. Snowmachines and dog sleds are also used. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Electric Utility -
Central Electric Inc.
P.O. Box 30024
Central, AK 99730
Phone 907-520-5900
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference
P.O. Box 129
Tok, AK 99780
Phone 907-883-5181
Fax 907-883-1114
E-mail rose.isaac@tananachiefs.org
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