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Sutton-Alpine
formerly Sutton
| Current Population: |
1,310
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: 9.98 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Bed Tax (Borough); 5.29% Tobacco Excise Tax (Borough)
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Sutton-Alpine is between Milepost 52 and 72 of the Glenn Highway, 11 miles northeast of Palmer in the Mat-Su Borough. The area is accessed by Chickaloon Way and Jonesville Road. The community
lies at approximately 61.796640° North Latitude
and -148.845280° West Longitude.
(Sec. 27, T019N, R003E, Seward Meridian.)
Sutton-Alpine is located in the
Palmer Recording District.
The temperatures in January range from -35 to 37; in July, 45 to 85. Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches, including 50 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Sutton-Alpine
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Ahtna and Dena'ina Athabascan Indians have occupied this territory for centuries. During the Russian fur trading era, Ahtna transported pelts from the Dena'ina along the Matanuska River to Copper Fort in the east. Sutton was founded around 1918 as a station on the Matanuska Branch of the Alaska Railroad, for coal export purposes. The railroad went through Sutton to the Chickaloon Mine. The Sutton Coal Washery operated from 1920 to 1922. Sutton was the base camp for construction of the Glenn Highway from 1941 to 1945. The post office was established in 1948. Coal from the privately-owned Evan Jones mine, Jonesville and Eska mines fueled the Sutton and Palmer economies until 1968, when the military bases in Anchorage converted their power systems to oil and coal mining ceased. During the 1980s, several large tracts of land were subdivided, fueling growth.
The population of the community consists of 25.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Middle and high school students are bused to Palmer.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 352, and vacant housing units numbered 74.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 49.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 245 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
7.42 percent,
although
72.22 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $35,652, per capita income was $20,436, and
11.32 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Most homes have individual water wells and septic systems, and are fully plumbed. The elementary school operates its own well water system. A Borough-operated refuse transfer station is available behind the Sutton Fire Station.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 64
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Mat-su Regional Hospital in between Palmer and Wasilla on the Parks Hwy near Trunk Rd. (907-861-6000) or Anchorage hospitals.
Sutton is classified as a highway village, it is found in EMS Region 2C in the Mat-Su Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Sutton Volunteer Fire/EMS/Ambulance (907-373-8800/907-745-4811) and Valley Hospital in Palmer.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Alpine Historical Park, an open-air museum, feature relics and historic buildings from the coal washery. The local stores, lodges, restaurant, library, post office and school provide income. The Palmer/Wasilla area and Anchorage offer a variety of employment opportunities. The Palmer Correctional Center is located nearby. Two residents hold a commercial fishing permit.
Sutton-Alpine accesses the Glenn Highway. There is a 1,450' public gravel airstrip at the Jonesville Mine, owned by the Canadian Mine & Smeltering Co., and two additional private strips in the area. Transportation facilities are also available nearby in Palmer. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Alpine Civic Club & Community Council
P.O. Box 344
Sutton, AK 99674-0406
Phone 907-745-4059
Fax 907-
E-mail gdr@mtaonline.net
Web http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/6192/civic.html
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Matanuska-Susitna Borough
350 East Dahlia Avenue
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone 907-745-4801
Fax 907-745-9845
E-mail john.duffy@matsugov.us; lonnie.mckechnie@matsugov.us
Web http://www.matsugov.us/
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-4955
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
Web http://www.southcentralfoundation.com
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