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Copper Center
a.k.a. Kluti-Kaah
For Photos of Copper Center click here
For a Map of Copper Center click here
| Current Population: |
294
(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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Copper Center is located along the Richardson Highway between Mileposts 101 and 105. It is on the west bank of the Copper River at the confluence of the Klutina River. It lies just west of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The community
lies at approximately 61.955000° North Latitude
and -145.305280° West Longitude.
(Sec. 18, T002N, R001E, Copper River Meridian.)
Copper Center is located in the
Chitina Recording District.
Copper Center is located in the continental climate zone. Winters are long and cold, and summers are relatively warm. Temperature extremes have been recorded from a low of -74 to a high of 96 degrees. Snowfall averages 39 inches, and total precipitation averages 9 inches per year. |
Topographic
map of
Copper Center
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Ahtna people have occupied the Copper River basin for the past 5,000 to 7,000 years. They had summer fish camps at every bend in the river and winter villages throughout the region. Copper Center was a large Ahtna Athabascan village at one time. In 1896, Ringwald Blix built Blix Roadhouse, which was very highly regarded for its outstanding services. The Trail of '98 from Valdez joined with the Eagle Trail to Forty Mile and Dawson. 300 destitute miners spent the winter here, and many died of scurvy. Copper Center became the principal supply center for miners in the Nelchina-Susitna region. A telegraph station and post office were established in 1901. A school was constructed in 1905, which brought a number of Native families to Copper Center. In 1909, it was designated a government agricultural experiment station. In 1932, the original roadhouse was destroyed in order to build the Copper Center Lodge. This lodge is on the National Register of Historic Roadhouses and is now considered the jewel of Alaskan roadhouses. In the late 30s and early 40s, construction of the Richardson and Glenn Highways made the region more accessible. The first church in the Copper River region, the Chapel on the Hill, was built here in 1942 by Vince Joy and U.S. Army volunteers stationed in the area. Mr. Joy built other churches and a bible college in the area over the years.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah (aka Copper Center).
The population of the community consists of 50.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Athabascan Indians represent the primary Alaska Native group. There are two distinct settlements, a Native village and a non-Native area.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 163, and vacant housing units numbered 31.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 13.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 90 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
26.83 percent,
although
62.03 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $32,188, per capita income was $15,152, and
18.8 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The majority of homes use individual water wells and septic tanks. Others haul treated well water from a site operated by Copper Center Safe Water. A private Glennallen firm delivers water to home storage tanks for a fee. The school operates its own well water system. 75% of homes are fully plumbed. Refuse collection services are available from Copper Basin Sanitation. There is a local landfill, and an incinerator at mile 102 Richardson Hwy. Copper Valley Electric purchases power from the state-owned Solomon Gulch Hydro Facility, and owns diesel plants in Glennallen and Valdez.
Electricity is provided by Copper Valley Electric Assoc.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 48
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Copper Center Clinic (907-822-3541); Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen (907-822-3203).
Copper River Native Association (health care, transportation, cultural activities). Cooper Center is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Copper River EMS Council (907-822-3671); Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The economy is based on local services and businesses and highway-related tourism. The National Park Service's Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center was completed in 2002. The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge was also completed in 2002. Two RV Parks and three river boat charter services operate from Copper Center. Many Native residents depend on subsistence hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering. Eight residents hold commercial fishing permits.
Copper Center lies on the Richardson Highway. A State-owned 2,200' long by 55' wide gravel airstrip provides for chartered flights and general aviation. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Housing Authority -
Copper River Basin Regional Housing Authority
P.O. Box 89
Glennallen, AK 99588
Phone 907-822-3633
Fax 907-822-3662
E-mail tnutter@crbrha.org
Web http://www.crbrha.org/
Regional Health Corporation -
Copper River Native Association
Mile 104 Old Richardson Highway, P.O. Box H
Copper Center, AK 99573
Phone 907-822-5241
Fax 907-822-8803
E-mail pbxoperator@crnative.org
Web http://www.crnative.org
Village Council -
Native Village of Kluti-Kaah
P.O. Box 68
Copper Center, AK 99573-0068
Phone 907-822-5541
Fax 907-822-5130
E-mail nvkktops@cvinternet.net
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Ahtna, Incorporated
P.O. Box 649
Glennallen, AK 99588
Phone 907-822-3476
Fax 907-822-3495
E-mail rtansy@ahtna.net
Web http://www.ahtna-inc.com
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