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Chicken
For Photos of Chicken click here
| Current Population: |
21
(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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Chicken is located at mile 66 of the Taylor Highway, approximately 100 road miles southwest of Eagle. It lies on the right bank of Chicken Creek, one mile north of Mosquito Fork, in the Fortymile River Basin. The community
lies at approximately 64.073330° North Latitude
and -141.936110° West Longitude.
(Sec. 31, T001S, R033E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Chicken is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. January temperatures average -22 to -2 degrees Fahrenheit, but temperatures as low as -70 degrees Fahrenheit have been recorded. July temperatures range from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Average annual precipitation is 11.3 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Chicken
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The area has been the historical home to Han Kutchin Indians. Mining began in the area with the discovery of gold on Franklin Gulch, in 1886. In 1896, Bob Mathieson found a major prospect on Upper Chicken Creek, staked his claim and built a cabin. Chicken (a common name for Ptarmigan) grew as a hub of activity for the southern portion of the Fortymile Mining District. 700 miners were thought to be working the area between 1896 and 1898. And although many miners left during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, Chicken remained a viable community. A post office was established in 1903 -- the population was around 400. In 1906, Harvey Van Hook built the two-story Chicken Creek Hotel. In 1925, Ann "Tisha" Purdy taught school in the building. From 1946-1953, Molly and Bob McComb used the building as a roadhouse, store and bunkhouse. In 1953, F.E. Company bought the grounds and turned it into a mess hall and bunkhouse for their employees. Approximately a dozen buildings in the historical downtown Chicken are listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The Pedro Dredge, also a National Historic site, originally mined in the Fairbanks area before its move to Chicken in 1959. The dredge is one of the few dredges in the State open to the public.
The population of the community consists of 0%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Residents enjoy the quiet and isolation of Chicken. Children are home-schooled.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 21, and vacant housing units numbered 15.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 14.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 0 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
100 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $66,250, per capita income was $65,400, and
0 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| There is no central water or sewer system in Chicken. Homes use individual wells, septic tanks and outhouses.
Electricity is provided by Individual Generators.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Tok Community Clinic (907-883-5855) in Tok.
Chicken is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region Emergency Services have summer highway and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Tok Community Clinic.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The community depends upon summer visitors for their livelihood, from May to September. The Chicken Creek Saloon, the Original Chicken Gold Camp cafe, Chicken Outpost and Chicken Center serve local residents and visitors. Tours are available through historic Chicken by The Goldpanner. The Original Chicken Gold Camp also provides access to the historic Pedro Dredge. Other than tourism, the economy is still based on gold panning and in the winter, fur trapping.
Chicken is accessible by road only during summer months, from Tok, Alaska via the Taylor Highway, or Dawson City in the Yukon Territory via the Top of the World Highway. A State-owned gravel airstrip measuring 2,500' long by 60' wide is available. There is no gas station between Eagle and Chicken. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
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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