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Paxson
(PACK-sun)
| Current Population: |
28
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
|
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| Location
and Climate |
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Paxson lies on Paxson Lake, at mile 185 of the Richardson Highway, at its intersection with the Denali Highway. It is south of Delta Junction and 62 miles north of Gulkana. The community
lies at approximately 63.033330° North Latitude
and -145.491670° West Longitude.
(Sec. 05, T022S, R012E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Paxson is located in the
Chitina Recording District.
Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. January temperatures average from -22 to -2; July temperatures average 50 to 72. Annual precipitation is 11.3 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Paxson
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| More than 400 archeological sites indicate that this area has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years. In 1906 Alvin Paxson established the Timberline Roadhouse at mile 192, which consisted of a small cabin for a kitchen and two tents for bunkhouses. His cook, Charles Meier, later started Meier's Roadhouse at mile 174. Paxson then built a two-story roadhouse at mile 191. He later added a barn with a drying room, pump and sleeping quarters, two rooms and a bath. A post office, store, wood house and small ice room followed. The Denali Highway was built in the 1950s from Paxson to Cantwell and the Denali National Park. The 160-mile gravel road was the only access into the park prior to construction of the George Parks Highway. The Denali Highway also provides access to the Tangle Lakes Recreation Area, Summit Lake, and the largest active gold mine in Alaska.
The population of the community consists of 0%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The primary residents of Paxson are State highway maintenance personnel and their families. There is no local school. It is a non-Native community.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 117, and vacant housing units numbered 96.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 96.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 14 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
36.36 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $46,500, per capita income was $26,071, and
0 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Individual wells and septic tanks are used by residents, and public water sources are available for hauling. Over half of all homes are completely plumbed. Private generators are used for electricity. Garbage collection is provided monthly by Copper Basin Sanitation, then hauled to the Glennallen landfill. A large number of homes in this area are only used seasonally.
Electricity is provided by Paxson Lodge.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Delta Junction Family Medical Center (895-5100) in Delta or Gulkana Clinic (822-3646).
Paxson is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway, lake and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Copper River EMS (822-3671); Delta Junction Health Clinic or Gulkana Clinic.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
There are five lodges with restaurants and bars in the area, several gift shops, a post office, gas station, grocery store and bunk house. This area has been a testing site for snowmachine companies for the past several years. Most income is generated during the summer months. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit. Hunting and other subsistence activities contribute to their livelihoods.
Paxson Lodge owns and maintains a 2,800' long by 65' wide gravel airstrip, and float planes can land at Summit Lake. The Richardson Highway provides access to Anchorage or Fairbanks. The Denali Highway provides summer access to Cantwell and the Denali Park. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Paxson Community Affairs
P.O. Box 7210
Paxson, AK 99586
Regional
Organizations
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