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McCarthy
For Photos of McCarthy click here
| Current Population: |
53
(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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McCarthy lies 61 miles east of Chitina off the Edgerton Highway. It is on the Kennicott River at the mouth of McCarthy Creek, 12 miles northeast of the junction of the Nizina and Chitina Rivers, in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The community
lies at approximately 61.433330° North Latitude
and -142.921670° West Longitude.
(Sec. 16, T005S, R014E, Copper River Meridian.)
McCarthy is located in the
Chitina Recording District.
It is located in the continental climate zone. Temperature extremes range from -58 to 91. Snowfall averages 52 inches, with total precipitation of 12 inches per year. |
Topographic
map of
McCarthy
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Kennecott copper mines and camp were established about 1908 across from the Kennicott Glacier, 4.5 miles up the mountain from McCarthy. An early misspelling named the mine and mining company Kennecott, while the town, river and glacier are spelled Kennicott. In 1911, the Copper River & Northwestern Railway carried its first car load of ore from Kennecott to Cordova. Since no gambling or drinking were allowed at the town of Kennicott, nearby McCarthy developed as a colorful diversion for the miners. It provided a newspaper, stores, hotels, restaurants, saloons, a red light district, housing over 800 residents. Kennicott became a company town with homes, a school, hospital, gym, tennis court and silent movie theater. Over its 30-year operation, $200 million in ore was extracted from Kennecott, the richest concentration of copper ore known in the world. In 1938, the mines closed and both towns were abandoned.
The population of the community consists of 0%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The old mine buildings, artifacts, and colorful history attract visitors during the summer months. The area ranks as one of the nation's most endangered landmarks by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Emergency stabilization of the old buildings has been required, and future work will be necessary.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 47, and vacant housing units numbered 21.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 21.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 3 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
80 percent,
although
89.66 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $17,188, per capita income was $16,045, and
15.2 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is drawn by hand from a clear water spring. Outhouses are prevalent, although a few septic systems are in use. Incinerating, composting and recycling of solid wastes is encouraged. There is no central electric system.
Electricity is provided by Individual Generators.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Chitina Health Clinic (823-2213) in Chitina or Copper Center Clinic (822-3541); Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen (822-3203).
Auxiliary health care is provided by Chitina Health Clinic, Copper Center Clinic or Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Employment is limited and seasonal. Local businesses include lodges, a museum, a small store, gift shop, and guide services.
McCarthy is accessible from the Richardson and Edgerton Highways. The 58-mile McCarthy Road starts in Chitina and continues into the Park. A footbridge is used to cross the Kennicott River. There are two gravel airstrips in the vicinity. The Jake's Bar airstrip is 1,000' long by 25' wide; McCarthy No. 2 is 3,500' long by 60' wide. DOT performs irregular winter maintenance of the McCarthy Airport. The May Creek Airport, across the Nizina River from McCarthy, is currently under expansion. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
McCarthy Area Council
P.O. Box MXY 31
Glennallen, AK 99588
Phone 907-554-4405 (treasurer)
Media -
Wrangell-St.Elias News
P.O. Box MXY
Glennallen, AK 99588
Phone 907-554-4454
Fax 907-554-4494
E-mail wsen@starband.net
Regional
Organizations
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