| |
Chickaloon
(CHICK-uh-loon)
| Current Population: |
249
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: 9.98 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Bed Tax (Borough); 5.29% Tobacco Excise Tax (Borough)
|
| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
The unincorporated community of Chickaloon is located within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, northeast of the community of Sutton. Its western boundary is in the vicinity of the Kings River (Mile 66.4 on the Glenn Highway) and its eastern boundary is in the vicinity of Purinton Creek. The Talkeetna Mountains lie to the northwest, and the Chugach Mountains and Matanuska River lie to the southeast. The Chickaloon River and the Kings River are the two major tributaries to the Matanuska River. There are several lakes within the area: Fish Lake, Drill Lake, Bonnie Lake, Harrison Lake, and Long Lake. The community
lies at approximately 61.796670° North Latitude
and -148.462780° West Longitude.
(Sec. 25, T020N, R005E, Seward Meridian.)
Chickaloon is located in the
Palmer Recording District.
The area encompasses 79.4
sq. miles of land and 0.8 sq. miles
of water.
Chickaloon is located within a transitional zone between coastal and interior climates. The temperatures in winter range from -30 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, temperatures range from 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual liquid equivalent precipitation is 14 inches. This includes an annual average of 69 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Chickaloon
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Traditionally, Chickaloon territory was a center of trade for copper, sheep, and goats from the north, and salmon, beluga, and fur seals from the south. The Ahtna, and formerly the Dena'ina, Athabascan Indians of Chickaloon traveled extensively within the Copper River and Cook Inlet areas. The Chickaloon River was named after Chief Chiklu, the last Denai'ina chief in this area. What is now the community of Chickaloon was once a primary fishing camp of Chickaloon Village. Nay'dini'aa Na' is the Ahtna name for the original settlement of Chickaloon Village on the north bank above the mouth of the Chickaloon River. An 1898 army exploration party located a vein of high quality coal near the Chickaloon River. The deposits were hard to reach and there was little interest in them until a railroad was built to Interior Alaska. During the winter of 1913-1914, an Alaskan freighter named Jack Dalton used the frozen Matanuska River to haul the first test coal from the Chickaloon coal deposits. When construction of the Alaska Railroad was approved in 1914, the plan included a spur line to the Chickaloon coal field. From 1915 to 1922, the U.S. Navy sponsored a coal mining boom in Chickaloon drainage, which had a negative impact on Chickaloon Village, especially with respect to their once valued fishing camp. At the same time, it provided an opportunity for jobs and the development of Chickaloon. Coal mining also took place in the area around Sutton, at the Wishbone Hill Naval Coal Reserve, Coal Creek and Carbon Creek. Like so many other Alaska mining towns, Chickaloon grew quickly and almost as quickly declined. By 1925, the Navy halted coal development in Chickaloon and the land reverted to public domain and was opened to homesteaders by 1958. Today, local businesses provide employment for community residents and serve the needs of residents and visitors alike. Many Chickaloon Village Tribal members remain in Chickaloon and others live in Sutton and surrounding communities.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Chickaloon Native Village.
The population of the community consists of 16.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The Tribally-owned and operated Ya Ne Dah Ah, or "Ancient Teachings," School located in Moose Creek serves tribal members living in Chickaloon and surrounding communities. Fishing, hunting, gathering, and trading are important activities for both Athabascan and non-Native residents.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 208, and vacant housing units numbered 121.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 113.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 116 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
24.18 percent,
although
48.67 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $49,792, per capita income was $14,755, and
2.81 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Approximately 75% of households have individual water wells and septic tank systems; most homes are plumbed. A borough transfer station is located at Mile 62 of the Glenn Hwy., in Sutton.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include C'eyiits' Hnax, or "Life House," Health Clinic in Sutton (907-745-0704) and Valley Hospital in Palmer (907-746-8600).
Chickaloon is classified as a highway village. It is found in EMS Region 2C in the Mat-Su Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access. Emergency medical service is provided by volunteers.
Auxiliary health care is provided by Sutton EMS or Valley Hospital in Palmer.
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
The King Mountain Lodge, Chickaloon General Store, Chickaloon Post Office, King Mountain Trading Post, and the Castle Mountain Bed and Breakfast serve local residents and travelers. Castle Mountain Outfitters, Nova Riverrunners, and several guides cater to a variety of recreational activities. Chickaloon Woodworks, Charlie-D Construction, and Kindseth Construction are a few of the local contractors. Many residents are employed within the community while some commute to Palmer, Wasilla, or Anchorage for work and others work on the North Slope.
Chickaloon is accessible by the statewide highway system and a local road network. Goods are most often brought in from the Palmer/Wasilla area or Anchorage. Glenn Transport provides a scheduled freight service and Alaska Direct operates a scheduled passenger service providing flag stop bus service on its route between Anchorage and Valdez. There are several private airstrips in the community. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Chickaloon Community Council
P.O. Box 1145
Chickaloon, AK 99674-1145
Phone 907-746-4494
Village Corporation -
Chickaloon-Moose Cr. Native Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 875046
Wasilla, AK 99674-1105
Fax 907-745-7154
E-mail garyharrison@chickaloon.org
Village Council -
Chickaloon Native Village
P.O. Box 1105
Chickaloon, AK 99674-1105
Phone 907-745-0707
Fax 907-745-7154
E-mail cvadmin@chickaloon.org
Web http://www.chickaloon.org
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Matanuska-Susitna Borough
350 East Dahlia Avenue
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone 907-745-4801
Fax 907-745-9845
E-mail john.duffy@matsugov.us; lonnie.mckechnie@matsugov.us
Web http://www.matsugov.us/
Regional Native Corporation - Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
P.O. Box 93330
Anchorage, AK 99509-3330
Phone 907-274-8638
Fax 907-279-8836
E-mail info@ciri.com
Web http://www.ciri.com/
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-4955
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
Web http://www.southcentralfoundation.com
|
 |
|
