Glennallen Alaska

Population: 574

Location and Climate
The community of Glennallen lies along the Glenn Highway at its junction with the Richardson Highway, 189 road miles east of Anchorage. It is located just outside the western boundary of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It lies at approximately 62.109170° North Latitude and -145.54639° West Longitude. (Sec. 23, T004N, R002W, Copper River Meridian.) Glennallen is located in the Chitina Recording District. The area encompasses 114.1 sq. miles of land and 0.8 sq. miles of water. Glennallen is located in the continental climate zone, with long, cold winters, and relatively warm summers. The mean temperature in January is -10; in July, 56. Snowfall averages 39 inches, with total precipitation of 9 inches per year.

History, Culture and Demographics
The name was derived from Maj. Edwin Glenn and Lt. Henry Allen, both leaders in the early explorations of the Copper River region. It is one of the few communities in the region that was not built on the site of a Native village. 12.1% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. The area has historically been occupied by the Ahtna, although Glennallen is currently a non-Native community. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 269 total housing units, and 65 were vacant. 35 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 303 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 5.02%, although 33.99% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $38,846, per capita income was $17,084, and 8.04% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
All year-round homes are fully plumbed. Although most residents have private wells in the Glennallen area, the water is often of very poor quality. Glennallen Heights utilizes two wells to serve a piped system, and a local private business delivers water by truck to fill home water tanks. The majority of downtown is connected to a piped sewage system operated by The Glennallen Improvement Corp. The sewage system serves 52 homes and businesses, and is being expanded to the Alaska Bible College and the Glennallen Heights subdivision. Most residences have individual septic tank systems, but permafrost and high water tables cause drainage failures. Refuse collection services and the Class 2 permitted landfill are operated by Copper Basin Sanitation in Glennallen. Copper Valley Electric purchases power from the state-owned Solomon Gulch Hydro Facility, and owns diesel plants in Glennallen and Valdez. Electricity is provided by Copper Valley Electric Assoc. There are 3 schools located in the community, attended by 458 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Cross Road Medical Center (822-3203). The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center and provides Critical Care Air Ambulance Services. Located at Mile 186.6 Glenn Hwy. Glennallen is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Copper River EMS Council (822-3671); Cross Road Air Ambulance (822-3203).

Economy and Transportation
Glennallen is the supply hub of the Copper River region. Local businesses serve area residents and Glenn Highway traffic, supplies and services, schools and medical care. State highway maintenance and federal offices are in Glennallen. RV parks, lodging, fuel and other services cater to independent travelers. The National Park Service's Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center and the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge were completed in 2002 at Copper Center. Offices for the Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Troopers, and the Dept. of Fish and Game are located here. There are several small farms in the area. Four residents hold commercial fishing permits. The Glenn/Tok Cutoff and Richardson Highways provide year-round road access to other areas of the state. Brenwick's Airport provides public air access, and scheduled services are available. The 2,070' turf airstrip is owned and operated by Copper Basin District, Inc. The Gulkana Airport is located 4.3 miles northeast.

Source: State of Alaska, Department of Community and Economic Development.

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[graphic version Glennallen Alaska]