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Sitka
(SIT-kuh)
For Photos of Sitka click here
| Current Population: |
8,615
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unified Home Rule Municipality |
| Borough Located In: |
City & Borough of Sitka |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 5% Oct.-Mar.; 6% Apr.-Sept.,
Property: 6.0 mills, Special: 6% Bed Tax; $.05 Per Cigarette
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| Coastal Management District: |
Sitka |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Sitka is located on the west coast of Baranof Island fronting the Pacific Ocean, on Sitka Sound. An extinct volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, rises 3,200 feet above the community. It is 95 air miles southwest of Juneau and 185 miles northwest of Ketchikan. Seattle, Washington, lies 862 air miles to the south. The community
lies at approximately 57.053060° North Latitude
and -135.330000° West Longitude.
(Sec. 36, T055S, R063E, Copper River Meridian.)
Sitka is located in the
Sitka Recording District.
The area encompasses 2,874.0
sq. miles of land and 1,937.5 sq. miles
of water.
January temperatures range from 23 to 35 °F; summers vary from 48 to 61 °F. Average annual precipitation is 96 inches, including 39 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Sitka
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Sitka was originally inhabited by a major tribe of Tlingits, who called the village "Shee Atika." Russian Vitus Bering's expedition arrived in 1741, and the site became "New Archangel" in 1799. St. Michael's Redoubt trading post and fort were built here by Alexander Baranof, manager of the Russian-American company. Tlingits burned down the fort and looted the warehouse in 1802. In 1804, the Russians retaliated by destroying the Tlingit Fort in the Battle of Sitka. This was the last major stand by the Tlingits against the Russians, and they evacuated the area until about 1822. By 1808, Sitka was the capital of Russian Alaska. Baranof was Governor from 1790 through 1818. During the mid-1800s, Sitka was the major port on the north Pacific coast, with ships calling from many nations. Furs destined for European and Asian markets were the main export, but salmon, lumber, and ice were also exported to Hawaii, Mexico, and California. After the purchase of Alaska by the U.S. in 1867, it remained the capital of the territory until 1906, when the seat of government was moved to Juneau. A Presbyterian missionary, Sheldon Jackson, started a school, and in 1878 one of the first canneries in Alaska was built in Sitka. During the early 1900s, gold mines contributed to its growth, and the city was incorporated in 1913. During World War II, the town was fortified and the U.S. Navy built an air base on Japonski Island across the harbor, with 30,000 military personnel and over 7,000 civilians. After the war, the BIA converted some of the buildings to be used as a boarding school for Alaska Natives, Mt. Edgecumbe High School. The U.S. Coast Guard now maintains the air station and other facilities on the Island. A large pulp mill began operations at Silver Bay in 1960. In 1971, the city and borough governments were unified. Sitka offers abundant resources and a diverse economy.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Sitka Tribe of Alaska; Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.
The population of the community consists of 24.7%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Tlingit and Russian culture influence Sitkan arts and artifacts and remain a part of the local color. Sitka has year-round access to outdoor recreation in the Gulf of Alaska and Tongass National Forest.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 3,650, and vacant housing units numbered 372.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 169.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 4,567 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
7.78 percent,
although
31.84 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $51,901, per capita income was $23,622, and
7.81 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is drawn from a reservoir on Blue Lake and Indian River and is treated, stored, and piped to nearly all homes in Sitka. The maximum capacity is 8.6 million gallons per day, with 197 million gallons of storage capacity. 95% of homes are connected to the piped sewage system, which receives primary treatment. Refuse is collected and placed in a van and shipped to the State of Washington. The community participates in annual hazardous waste disposal events. The borough owns hydroelectric facilities at Blue Lake and Green Lake and a diesel-fueled generator at Indian River.
Electricity is provided by Sitka Electric Department.
There are 7 schools located in the community,
attended by 1,761
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Mt. Edgecumbe/SEARHC Hospital (907-966-2411); Sitka Community Hospital (907-747-3241); U.S. Coast Guard Air Station (907-966-5430).
The hospitals are qualified Acute Care facilities. The USCG Air Station provides emergency support only and Medevac Services, and is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Long Term Care: Sitka Pioneers' Home. Specialized Care: Aurora's Watch (operated by Shee Atika Corp.); Sitka Council on Alcoholism & Other. Sitka is classified as a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, marine, floatplane and airport access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and the military
Auxiliary health care is provided by Sitka Fire Dept./Ambulance/Rescue (907-747-3233/3245); SEARHC Air Medical (907-966-2411); U.S. Coast Guard Air Station/Medevac (907-966-5430).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The economy is diversified with fishing, fish processing, tourism, government, transportation, retail, and healthcare services. Cruise ships bring over 200,000 visitors annually. 551 residents hold commercial fishing permits and fish processing provides seasonal employment. Sitka Sound Seafood and the Seafood Producers Co-op are major employers. Regional healthcare services, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard also employ a number of residents.
The state-owned Rocky Gutierrez Airport on Japonski Island has a 6,500' long by 150' wide paved and lighted runway, an instrument landing system, and a 24-hour FAA Flight Service Station. Daily jet service is provided, and several scheduled air taxis, air charters, and helicopters are available. The city & borough operates five small boat harbors with 1,350 stalls and a seaplane base on Sitka Sound at Baranof Warm Spring Bay. There is a breakwater at Thompson Harbor but no deep draft dock. A boat launch, haul-out, boat repairs, and other services are available. Cruise ships anchor in the harbor and lighter visitors to shore. The Alaska Marine Highway System (state ferry) has a docking facility. The fast ferry serves Sitka several times a week with a 6-hour run to Juneau. Freight arrives by barge and cargo plane. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Borough -
City & Borough of Sitka
100 Lincoln Street
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-3294
Fax 907-747-7403
E-mail colleen@cityofsitka.com
Web http://www.cityofsitka.com
Chamber of Commerce -
Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 638
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-8604
Fax 907-747-7413
E-mail sitkacoc@ptialaska.net
Web http://www.sitkacoc.com
Economic Development -
Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 1226
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-5940
Fax 907-747-3739
E-mail scvb@ptialaska.net
Web http://www.sitka.org
Economic Development -
Sitka Economic Development Assoc.
329 Harbor Drive #212
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-2660
Fax 907-747-7688
E-mail info@sitka.net
Web http://www.sitka.net/
Electric Utility -
Sitka Electric Department
105 Jarvis Street
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-6633
Fax 907-747-3208
E-mail charlie@cityofsitka.com
Web http://www.cityofsitka.com/index.html
Housing Authority -
Baranof Island Housing Authority
P.O. Box 517
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-5088
Fax 907-747-5701
E-mail bart_meyer_biha@yahoo.com
Media -
Daily Sitka Sentinel
112 Barracks Street
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-3219
Fax 907-747-8898
E-mail sitkanews@hotmail.com
School District -
Sitka School District
300 Kostrometinoff Street
Sitka, AK 99835-0179
Phone 907-747-8622
Fax 907-966-1260
E-mail bradshaws@mail.ssd.k12.ak.us
Web http://www.ssd.k12.ak.us
School District -
Mt. Edgecumbe High School
1330 Seward Ave.
Sitka, AK 99835-9348
Phone 907-966-3200
Fax 907-966-2442
E-mail billh@mehs.us
Web http://www.mehs.us
Urban Corporation -
Shee Atika, Incorporated
315 Lincoln St. #300
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-3534
Fax 907-747-5727
E-mail faleene@sheeatika.com
Web http://www.sheeatika.com/index.shtml
Village Council -
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
456 Katlian Street
Sitka, AK 99835-7505
Phone 907-747-3207
Fax 907-747-4915
E-mail webmaster@sitkatribe.org
Web http://www.sitkatribe.org/
Regional
Organizations
Borough - City & Borough of Sitka
100 Lincoln Street
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone 907-747-3294
Fax 907-747-7403
E-mail colleen@cityofsitka.com
Web http://www.cityofsitka.com
Regional Native Corporation - Sealaska Corporation
One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400
Juneau, AK 99801-1276
Phone 907-586-1512
Fax 907-586-2304
E-mail todd.antioquia@sealaska.com
Web http://www.sealaska.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
3245 Hospital Dr.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-463-4000
Fax 907-463-4075
E-mail admin@searhc.org
Web http://www.searhc.org/
Regional Native Non-Profit - Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
320 W. Willoughby Ave., Suite 300
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-586-1432
Fax 907-586-8970
E-mail econdev@ccthita.org
Web http://www.ccthita.org
Regional Development - Southeast Conference
P.O. Box 21989
Juneau, AK 99802
Phone 907-523-2327
Fax 907-463-5670
E-mail shellyw@seconference.org
Web http://www.seconference.org
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