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Port Protection
For a Map of Port Protection click here
| Current Population: |
66
(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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Located on the northern tip of Prince of Wales Island, Port Protection is 145 miles south of Juneau and 50 miles west of Wrangell. It lies in the Tongass National Forest. The community
lies at approximately 56.321940° North Latitude
and -133.609440° West Longitude.
(Sec. 19, T064S, R076E, Copper River Meridian.)
Port Protection is located in the
Petersburg Recording District.
Prince of Wales Island is dominated by a cool, moist, maritime climate. Average summer temperatures range from 49 to 63; winter temperatures average from 32 to 42. Average annual precipitation is 120 inches, including 40 inches of snow. |
Topographic
map of
Port Protection
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| "Wooden Wheel" Johnson became the first resident in the early 1900s. His store, fuel dock and fish-buying scow enabled trollers to stop for supplies and safe anchor on their trips north and south. In 1946, Laurel "Buckshot" Woolery opened the B.S. Trading Post and fish-buying station. In the 1950s a warehouse was built with the plan to eventually create a shrimp cannery. The cannery idea was never realized, and the building now stands empty. Woolery closed his trading post in 1973. State land disposal programs have enabled the area to be permanently settled.
The population of the community consists of 11.1%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Port Protection is a small non-Native fishing community. Residents cherish the seclusion and serenity of their community. There are no roads, and most homes lie along the waterfront.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 52, and vacant housing units numbered 21.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 2.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 34 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
44.26 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $10,938, per capita income was $12,057, and
57.5 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Spring water is available from a water tank maintained by the Port Protection Community Assoc. Homes are fully plumbed. Most residents use outdoor privies or outfall pipes for sewage disposal, although a few individual septic tanks exist. There is no central electric system; individual generators supply power.
Electricity is provided by Individual Generators.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 10
students.
Auxiliary health care is provided by Port Protection EMS (489-2222/2220); Prince of Wales Island Area EMS (826-2367/3330).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Port Protection experiences a highly seasonal economy. Fourteen residents hold a commercial fishing permit. Some residents provide sport fishing charters. Local food sources include deer, salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab.
The community is accessible by float plane and skiff. A State-owned seaplane base is available. Skiffs are used for local travel, and there is a boat harbor and launch ramp. Port Protection does not have direct access to the Prince of Wales road system, airport or ferry. Residents travel to Point Baker for mail. Freight arrives by chartered boat or floatplane. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Port Protection Community Assoc.
P.O. Box 68
Point Baker, AK 99927
Phone 907-489-2241
Fax 907-489-2222
Regional
Organizations
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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