Talkeetna, Alaska
Talkeetna, Alaska
K'dalkitnu | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 02-74830 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 1410591 |
Talkeetna (
Geography
Talkeetna is located at the confluence of three rivers, the
Flightseeing, rafting, mountain biking, homestead tours, hiking, camping, fishing and hunting make up a large portion of the local economy. Talkeetna is a 2½-hour drive from
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 42.9 square miles (111 km2), of which, 41.6 square miles (108 km2) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) of it (3.19%) is water.
Climate
The climate is
Climate data for Talkeetna Airport, Alaska (1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1918–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 47 (8) |
52 (11) |
55 (13) |
77 (25) |
87 (31) |
96 (36) |
93 (34) |
89 (32) |
78 (26) |
68 (20) |
52 (11) |
49 (9) |
96 (36) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 39.4 (4.1) |
41.9 (5.5) |
48.5 (9.2) |
58.6 (14.8) |
74.4 (23.6) |
81.5 (27.5) |
81.6 (27.6) |
77.3 (25.2) |
67.5 (19.7) |
55.9 (13.3) |
41.6 (5.3) |
39.6 (4.2) |
84.3 (29.1) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 21.8 (−5.7) |
28.2 (−2.1) |
34.6 (1.4) |
46.6 (8.1) |
58.7 (14.8) |
67.1 (19.5) |
68.7 (20.4) |
65.1 (18.4) |
56.0 (13.3) |
41.8 (5.4) |
27.9 (−2.3) |
23.4 (−4.8) |
45.0 (7.2) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 13.6 (−10.2) |
18.8 (−7.3) |
23.5 (−4.7) |
36.2 (2.3) |
47.7 (8.7) |
57.0 (13.9) |
60.1 (15.6) |
56.5 (13.6) |
47.5 (8.6) |
34.2 (1.2) |
20.6 (−6.3) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
35.9 (2.2) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 5.4 (−14.8) |
9.4 (−12.6) |
12.4 (−10.9) |
25.8 (−3.4) |
36.7 (2.6) |
47.0 (8.3) |
51.4 (10.8) |
47.9 (8.8) |
39.0 (3.9) |
26.5 (−3.1) |
13.2 (−10.4) |
7.8 (−13.4) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | −23.7 (−30.9) |
−17.1 (−27.3) |
−11.7 (−24.3) |
8.9 (−12.8) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
37.0 (2.8) |
43.3 (6.3) |
37.1 (2.8) |
26.0 (−3.3) |
8.9 (−12.8) |
−9.9 (−23.3) |
−19.1 (−28.4) |
−28.2 (−33.4) |
Record low °F (°C) | −48 (−44) |
−46 (−43) |
−43 (−42) |
−37 (−38) |
8 (−13) |
24 (−4) |
26 (−3) |
25 (−4) |
11 (−12) |
−21 (−29) |
−41 (−41) |
−53 (−47) |
−53 (−47) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.34 (34) |
1.24 (31) |
1.08 (27) |
1.32 (34) |
1.56 (40) |
1.71 (43) |
2.87 (73) |
4.70 (119) |
4.48 (114) |
2.78 (71) |
1.77 (45) |
1.66 (42) |
26.51 (673) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 22.3 (57) |
22.1 (56) |
15.0 (38) |
7.7 (20) |
1.0 (2.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.7 (1.8) |
13.3 (34) |
23.3 (59) |
31.7 (81) |
137.1 (348) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) | 9.4 | 9.1 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 11.0 | 12.4 | 14.5 | 16.8 | 16.4 | 12.5 | 9.9 | 11.3 | 139.6 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 inch) | 10.3 | 9.5 | 8.0 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 5.6 | 11.6 | 13.0 | 62.8 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
72.2 | 72.6 | 70.2 | 69.6 | 66.8 | 71.0 | 75.9 | 79.6 | 81.2 | 80.9 | 76.1 | 73.0 | 74.1 |
Average dew point °F (°C) | 5.2 (−14.9) |
9.9 (−12.3) |
14.7 (−9.6) |
24.1 (−4.4) |
33.3 (0.7) |
44.1 (6.7) |
50.2 (10.1) |
47.8 (8.8) |
39.7 (4.3) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
11.5 (−11.4) |
3.9 (−15.6) |
26.0 (−3.4) |
Source: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961-1990, average snowfall/snow days 1981–2010)[12][13][14][15] |
- Notes
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e., the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1920 | 70 | — | |
1930 | 89 | 27.1% | |
1940 | 136 | 52.8% | |
1950 | 106 | −22.1% | |
1960 | 76 | −28.3% | |
1970 | 182 | 139.5% | |
1980 | 264 | 45.1% | |
1990 | 250 | −5.3% | |
2000 | 772 | 208.8% | |
2010 | 876 | 13.5% | |
2020 | 1,055 | 20.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[16] |
Talkeetna first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.
The 2020 population was 1,055.
There were 358 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.4% were non-families. Thirty-eight percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,289, and the median income for a family was $46,818. Males had a median income of $34,732 versus $26,250 for females. The
Economy
Talkeetna is the base for expeditions to
Susitna Dam
The Susitna Dam is a proposed
Soon after the dam's construction was announced, the Coalition for Susitna Dam Alternatives was formed to fight its construction. It is their argument that recreation, nature and the town would be severely threatened by the dam, and have compared it to the Three Gorges Dam in China.
Events
Every March, the Oosik Classic Ski Race is organized by the Denali Nordic Ski Club. Distances are approximate and trail conditions are variable.
The Moose Dropping Festival, a two-day celebration held each July to raise funds for the Talkeetna Historical Society, came to an end with the announcement on August 21, 2009, by the organization that the festival had been canceled.[22][23] The 2009 event had drawn record crowds, resulting in multiple arrests and injuries, including one death.[24][23] The event was named after a lottery in which participants bet on numbered, varnished pieces of moose feces, or "moose droppings" dropped from a helicopter onto a target.
In December, the Wilderness Woman and Bachelor Auction & Ball takes place.[25]
Talkeetna's largest celebration of the winter, called Winterfest, takes place during the entire month of December, and features a motorized Parade of Lights, a Christmas tree in the Village Park, a Taste of Talkeetna, and numerous special events hosted by local businesses and special events at Talkeetna Public Library.
Government
Since Talkeetna is only a census-designated place, it is unincorporated.[26] Talkeetna has a Community Council[27] and its mayor was a cat named Stubbs from 1997 until his death in 2017.[28][29] It is located in Matanuska-Susitna Borough's District 7, which is represented by Assembly Member Vern Halter,[30] who succeeded borough mayor Larry DeVilbiss.[31]
A popular rumor states Stubbs was elected following a successful write-in campaign by voters who opposed the human candidates.[32] However, according to NPR, the cat could not have been elected as a write-in candidate because "The tiny town has no real mayor, so there was no election."[28] Stubbs' position is honorary as the town is unincorporated.[33] On August 31, 2013, Stubbs was attacked and mauled by a dog while roaming the streets and after treatment at the local veterinarian returned home on September 9.[34] Stubbs died on July 21, 2017, at the age of 20 years and 3 months.[35] A cat named Aurora has been the unofficial mayor of Talkeetna since 2017, succeeding Stubbs.
Legislative representation
The area-based apportionment scheme, established in the U.S. Supreme Court in Reynolds v. Sims, affirmed by the Alaska Supreme Court in its decision in Nolan v. Wade . Both houses of the legislature were apportioned based strictly on population from this point forward.
Subsequent redistrictings created 40 House districts and 20 Senate districts. This was included with the redistricting amendments to the Alaska Constitution ratified by voters in 1998, which means that future redistricting boards are compelled to follow the same scheme.
represented by Mike Shower, (R-Wasilla) (2/22/2018- (appointed by Gov. Walker) |
Subsequent redistrictings created 40 House districts and 20 Senate districts. This was included with the redistricting amendments to the Alaska Constitution ratified by voters in 1998, which means that future redistricting boards are compelled to follow the same scheme.
|
Education
Talkeetna Elementary School is located near the heart of downtown. Grades K–6 are taught at this location.
A new Susitna Valley Junior-Senior High School opened in January 2010, replacing the one that burned to the ground in June 2007 while repairs were being made to the roof.[36] In the interim, classes were held in portables on the grounds of the Upper Susitna Senior Center. The mascot of Susitna Valley Junior-Senior High School is the Ram.
Media
Talkeetna has a community radio station, 88.9 KTNA, with locally hosted shows and NPR programming. Talkeetna has a local newspaper, the Good Times, which has a distribution of 7,500 year-round and serves the communities of Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Willow, Houston and Big Lake, with additional distribution along the Parks Highway as far north as Nenana during the summer months. The Good Times is currently published every other week in print.[37] Publishers of the Good Times also publish a local area phone book and an annual visitors’ guide. Another newspaper, The Alaska Pioneer Press, which was under different ownership and was published monthly, ceased publication in January 2011, after its owners moved out of the area. Whole Wheat Radio, an independent webcast, began broadcast in 2002, which was relatively early, and ceased in 2010.[38][39]
Transportation
Talkeetna is served by
The Talkeetna Airstrip is a restricted use airstrip and on the list of National Historic Places also.
Talkeetna is a stop on the Denali Star, Aurora Winter Train, and Hurricane Turn trains of the Alaska Railroad.
Sunshine Transit Coalition started in March 2009. An educational symposium in 2008 pinpointed transportation as one of the biggest barriers to education and health care. The Coalition's goal was to break down those barriers and make transportation easy and accessible to every resident no matter what their income level. Sunshine Transit, Public Transit for the Upper Susitna Valley runs five days a week along the Talkeetna Spur Road. Future goals include expanding service, and number of vehicles, to Trapper Creek and south on the Parks Highway as well as service in the community of Willow.[citation needed]
In popular culture
The town of Talkeetna was mentioned in Travel Channel's Man v. Food. In season 2 episode 16, the host travels to the Roadhouse, a restaurant in Talkeetna, to sample their unique breakfast dishes.[41] Also featured is West Rib Pub & Cafe.
The town of Cicely from the television series Northern Exposure has been said that it could be patterned after Talkeetna by a journalist,[42] but it has not been confirmed by any cast member. Filming actually took place in Roslyn, Washington.[43]
Talkeetna features heavily in Railroad Alaska[44] on Discovery Channel. The show has three seasons and deals with the lives of people who work the railway, and off-the-grid residents who depend on the railroad for supplies and access to medical facilities.[44]
A fictionalized portrayal of the town was featured in the Disney film Snow Dogs.
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places". State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Talkeetna history". Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
- ^ "Nagley's Store history". Archived from the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ "Talkeetna Roadhouse history". Archived from the original on December 22, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ Feirer, Shane T. (August 2004). "Ecorregions of the Alaska". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Nature Conservancy in Alaska. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Talkeetna, Alaska Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ISBN 9780882406527.
- ^ Ring of Fire, Resource Management Plan: Environmental Impact Statement. 2006.
- ^ "An Ecological Overview of Denali National Park and Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Climate Talkeetna: Temperature, Climograph, Climate table for Talkeetna - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
- ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". noaa. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1991–2020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1981–2010)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
- ^ "WMO Climate Normals for TALKEETNA, AK 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Alaska rescue helicopter crash kills all three onboard - Yahoo! News". Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- The Anchorage Daily News. Archivedfrom the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ Thiessen, Mark (June 22, 2020). "Quirky Alaska town struggles for survival amid coronavirus tourism fallout". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Susitna-Watana Dam Project". Talkeetna Community Council, Inc. September 7, 2011. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ^ "Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival". Talkeetna Historical Society. Archived from the original on July 1, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ a b Yack, Patrick (August 25, 2009). "Moose Dropping Festival Dropped". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ Holland, Megan; Hopkins, Kyle (July 13, 2009). "Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival turns to mayhem (7/13/09)". Anchorage Daily News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ "Talkeetna Bachelors are back on the market". Talkeetna Bachelor Society. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2009. Talkeetna's biggest annual winter celebration, known as Winterfest, takes place throughout the entire month of December.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "TKA Community Council". www.tkacouncil.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ a b "Following Up On Tuesday's Feline Mayor Story". Morning Edition. NPR. July 18, 2012. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
The tiny town has no real mayor"
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "District 7". Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
- ^ "Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor". Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ "Alaska town: Feline mayor is the cat's pajamas". Houston Chronicle. July 15, 2012. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- ^ Friedman, Amy (July 17, 2012). "Cat Marks 15 Years as Mayor of Alaska Town". Time. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ "Alaska town's honorary cat mayor goes home after dog attack". Fox News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Stubbs, Talkeetna’s honorary cat mayor, dies Archived July 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, by Chris Klint, at KTVA; published July 23, 2017; retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ Moses, John (June 7, 2007). "Su Valley Jr./Sr. High burns; Talkeetna school a total loss". Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ "Talkeetnatimes.com". Talkeetnatimes.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
- ^ News-Matsu Archived December 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, an online news source covering the Mat-Su Borough, was launched in 2013.
- ^ Deyoe, Sue (October 26, 2010). "Whole Wheat Radio ends its 8 year run". KTNA. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
[...] announced the end of his website [...] unique online radio station over 8 years ago, which might have been a first for Alaska in the online world.
- ^ "Denali Park Transportation and Support Services". National Park Service. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
- ^ KTNA Staff (October 5, 2009). "Man V. Food comes to Talkeetna". KTNA 88.9 FM. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Woodmancy, Don (January 16, 2003). "Talkeetna, Alaska". Roadtrip America. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ "A Town Goes Alaskan for 'Northern Exposure'". The New York Times. June 17, 1991. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ a b "Railroad Alaska (TV Series 2013– )". IMDb. November 16, 2013. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
External links
- Media related to Talkeetna, Alaska at Wikimedia Commons
- Talkeetna, Alaska at Curlie
- The Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce
- newsmatsu.com, online news for Talkeetna and the Mat-Su
- Talkeetna Historical Society
- Denali NPS Ranger Station Talkeetna
- ^ "Talkeetna, AK - Cat Mayor". RoadsideAmerica.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.