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Cantwell
(CANT-well)
For Photos of Cantwell click here
For a Map of Cantwell click here
| Current Population: |
192
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Denali Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: 7% Bed Tax (Borough); Severance Tax $.05 (Borough); Yard Gravel $.05/Ton-Coal (Borough)
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| Location
and Climate |
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Cantwell is located on the George Parks Highway at the west end of the Denali Highway, 211 miles north of Anchorage and 28 miles south of Denali (Mount McKinley) Park. Part of the community is located on the Alaska Railroad. The areas known as Kantishna and Carlo Creek are located nearby. The community
lies at approximately 63.391670° North Latitude
and -148.950830° West Longitude.
(Sec. 31, T017S, R007W, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Cantwell is located in the
Nenana Recording District.
The climate in Cantwell is continental, characterized by long, cold winters and relatively warm summers. Total annual precipitation averages 15 inches and annual snowfall averages 78 inches. Extreme temperatures ranging from a low of -54 to a high of 89 degrees Fahrenheit have been recorded. |
Topographic
map of
Cantwell
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Cantwell River was the former name of the Nenana River. The earliest inhabitants of the area were nomadic Indians who trapped, hunted and fished throughout Interior Alaska. Cantwell began as a flag stop on the Alaska Railroad. Oley Nicklie was the first Indian to settle here. When fur prices dropped, he and his two brothers sought work with the railroad.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Cantwell.
The population of the community consists of 27%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Alaska Natives in the Cantwell area are primarily Athabascan Indians.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 178, and vacant housing units numbered 76.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 60.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 121 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
11.03 percent,
although
39.5 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $43,750, per capita income was $22,615, and
2.05 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The majority of homes and the school have individual water wells and septic systems. Over 50% of households have complete plumbing. Refuse is deposited in a Borough transfer station, then hauled to the new regional landfill just south of Anderson.
Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 35
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Cantwell Clinic (907-768-2122).
Cantwell Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Cantwell is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway, air and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Cantwell Volunteer Ambulance (768-2162/768-2982).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Cantwell's economy is based on highway tourism and transportation. Part-time seasonal construction jobs also provide income. Most Native residents also depend on subsistence hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit.
Cantwell is accessible by road, rail and air. The George Parks Highway connects to Fairbanks and Anchorage, and the Denali Highway links Denali Park with the Richardson Highway during summer months only. There are two privately-owned airstrips; Cantwell Heights Property Owners operate a 2,080' long by 70' wide gravel airstrip for public use. A privately-owned helipad is also available at the Igloo. The Alaska Railroad still provides train service. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Community of Cantwell, Inc.
Cantwell, AK
Web http://www.homestead.com/akcci/home.html
Village Council -
Native Village of Cantwell
P.O. Box 94
Cantwell, AK 99729
Phone 907-768-2591
Fax 907-768-1111
E-mail hallvc@yahoo.com
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Denali Borough
P.O. Box 480
Healy, AK 99743
Phone 907-683-1330
Fax 907-683-1340
E-mail dbgovt@mtaonline.net
Web http://www.denaliborough.govoffice.com
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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