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Angoon
(an-GOON)
For a Map of Angoon click here
| Current Population: |
430
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Coastal Management District: |
Northern Southeast |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Angoon is the only permanent settlement on Admiralty Island, located on the southwest coast at Kootznahoo Inlet. Angoon is 55 miles southwest of Juneau and 41 miles northeast of Sitka. The community
lies at approximately 57.503330° North Latitude
and -134.583890° West Longitude.
(Sec. 25, T050S, R067E, Copper River Meridian.)
Angoon is located in the
Juneau Recording District.
The area encompasses 22.5
sq. miles of land and 16.1 sq. miles
of water.
Angoon's maritime climate is characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures range from 45 to 61 °F. Winter temperatures range from 25 to 39 °F. Extremes in temperature have been recorded, ranging from a low of -6 to a high of 77 °F. Angoon receives much less precipitation than is typical of Southeast Alaska, averaging 43 inches annually. Annual snowfall averages 63 inches. Strong north winds during winter months cause rough seas, which may prevent aircraft landings. |
Topographic
map of
Angoon
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Admiralty Island has long been the home of the Kootznoowoo Tlingit tribe. Kootznoowoo means "fortress of bears." From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, fur trading was the major money-making activity in the area. In 1878, the Northwest Trading Company established a trading post and whaling station on nearby Killisnoo Island, and villagers were employed to hunt whales. Whaling, a BIA school, and a Russian Orthodox church attracted many Tlingits to Killisnoo. In 1882, a whaling vessel's harpoon charge accidentally misfired and exploded, killing a Native crewmember - a Tlingit shaman. Villagers demanded payment of 200 blankets to the man's family, as was customary. The Northwest Trading Co. felt threatened and sought assistance from the U.S. Navy at Sitka. The village and a summer camp were subsequently shelled and destroyed by the Navy Cutter U.S.S. Corwin. Native accounts of the attack claim six children died by smoke inhalation. In 1973, Angoon won a $90,000 out-of-court settlement from the federal government for the 1882 bombardment. Whaling did not last long, and the company switched to herring processing. During this time, many Tlingits moved to Killisnoo for employment at the plant. In 1928, Killisnoo was destroyed by fire, and many Tlingits returned to Angoon. A post office was established in 1928. The city was formed in 1963. Many summer homes have developed on Killisnoo Island.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Angoon Community Association.
The population of the community consists of 86.4%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Angoon is a Tlingit village with a commercial fishing and subsistence lifestyle. Possession of alcohol is banned in the community.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 221, and vacant housing units numbered 37.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 25.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 197 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
12.95 percent,
although
50 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $29,861, per capita income was $11,357, and
27.92 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The Tillinghast Lake reservoir provides water, which is treated and piped throughout the community. Angoon has had a piped system since 1977, and over 95% of homes have complete plumbing. Piped sewage is processed at a secondary treatment plant which flows to an ocean outfall. A new 500,000-gallon water tank has been constructed at the plant. The city collects refuse and hauls it to the landfill, located approximately two miles from Angoon. The Tlingit-Haida Regional Electric Authority, a non-profit subdivision of the state, operates three diesel-fueled generators in Angoon.
Electricity is provided by Inside Passage Electric Cooperative.
There are 2 schools located in the community,
attended by 83
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Angoon Health Center (907-788-3633).
Angoon Health Center provides Primary Health Care, Prevention Services, Dental Care and Behavioral Health. Angoon is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, marine, floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Angoon EMS/Ambulance (Clinic 907-788-3411).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Commercial fishing is a major source of income; 28 residents hold commercial fishing permits, primarily hand-trolling for king and coho salmon. Low salmon prices have affected incomes. A shellfish farm was recently funded by state and federal grants. The Chatham School District is the primary employer. Logging on Prince of Wales Island provides occasional jobs. Subsistence remains an important part of the lifestyle. Local resources include deer, salmon, bear, halibut, shellfish, geese, seaweed, and berries.
Angoon is accessible only by float plane or boat. Scheduled and charter float plane services are available from the state-owned seaplane base on Kootznahoo Inlet. Angoon's facilities also include a deep draft dock, a small boat harbor with 45 berths, and state ferry terminal. Freight arrives by barge and ferry. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Angoon
P.O. Box 189
Angoon, AK 99820
Phone 907-788-3653
Fax 907-788-3821
School District -
Chatham School District
P.O. Box 109
Angoon, AK 99820
Phone 907-788-3302
Fax 907-788-3252
E-mail ehopson@chathamsd.org
Web http://www.chathamsd.org
Village Corporation -
Kootznoowoo, Incorporated
8585 Old Dairy Road #104
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-790-2992
Fax 907-790-2995
E-mail peter@kootznoowoo.com
Web http://www.kootznoowoo.com
Village Council -
Angoon Community Association
P.O. Box 188
Angoon, AK 99820
Phone 907-788-3411
Fax 907-788-3412
Regional
Organizations
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, 99802
Phone 907-523-2327
Fax 907-463-5670
E-mail shellyw@seconference.org
Web http://www.seconference.org
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