Petersburg Alaska

Population: 3060

Location and Climate
Petersburg is located on the northwest end of Mitkof Island, where the Wrangell Narrows meet Frederick Sound. It lies midway between Juneau and Ketchikan, about 120 miles from either community. It lies at approximately 56.8125° North Latitude and -132.95556° West Longitude. (Sec. 27, T058S, R079E, Copper River Meridian.) Petersburg is located in the Petersburg Recording District. The area encompasses 43.9 sq. miles of land and 2.2 sq. miles of water. Petersburg's climate is characterized by mild winters, cool summers and year-round rainfall. Average summer temperatures range from 40 to 56; winters average from 27 to 43. Annual precipitation averages 106.3 inches, including 97 inches of snow.

History, Culture and Demographics
Tlingit Indians from Kake utilized the north end of Mitkof Island as a summer fish camp. Some reportedly began living year-round at the site, including John Lot. Petersburg was named after Peter Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant and a pioneer in the cannery business, who arrived in the late 1890s. He built the Icy Strait Packing Company cannery, a sawmill, and a dock by 1900. His family's homesteads grew into this community, populated largely by people of Scandinavian origin. In 1910, a City was formed, and by 1920, 600 people lived in Petersburg year-round. During this time, fresh salmon and halibut were packed in glacier ice for shipment. Alaska's first shrimp processor, Alaska Glacier Seafoods, was founded in 1916. A cold storage plant was built in 1926. The cannery has operated continuously, and is now known as Petersburg Fisheries, a subsidiary of Icicle Seafoods, Inc. Across the narrows is the town of Kupreanof, which was once busy with fur farms, a boat repair yard and a sawmill. Petersburg has developed into one of Alaska's major fishing communities. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Petersburg Indian Association. 12% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. The community maintains a mixture of Tlingit and Scandinavian history. It is known as "Little Norway" for its history and annual Little Norway Festival during May. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,367 total housing units, and 127 were vacant. 25 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 1,528 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 10.28%, although 36.44% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $49,028, per capita income was $25,827, and 4.97% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Water is supplied by Cabin Creek dam, a 50-million gallon water reservoir, then is treated, stored in a 600,000-gal. tank and distributed via pipes to 80% of households. A few homes use individual wells or water delivery. Nearly all homes are plumbed. Piped sewage receives primary treatment. The City is extending piped water to Scow Bay to replace individual wells. The City currently ships baled refuse to Washington State. A recycling and resource re-use facility, with a balefill and hazardous waste disposal, is under development. Petersburg Municipal Power & Light purchases electricity from the Tyee Lake Hydro Facility, and also owns the Crystal Lake Hydro Facility and three diesel-fueled generators. Electricity is provided by Petersburg Municipal Power & Light. There are 3 schools located in the community, attended by 623 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Petersburg Medical Center (772-4291); Petersburg Public Health Center (772-4611). The hospital is a qualified Acute Care and Long Term Care facility. Specialized Care: Petersburg Council on Alcoholism. Petersburg is classified as a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, marine, airport and floatplane access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Petersburg Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS (772-3355/772-3830).

Economy and Transportation
Since its beginning, Petersburg's economy has been based on commercial fishing and timber harvests. Petersburg currently is one of the top-ranking ports in the U.S. for the quality and value of fish landed. 469 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Several processors operate cold storage, canneries and custom packing services. The state runs the Crystal Lake Hatchery which contributes to the local salmon resource. Residents include salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab in their diet. Petersburg is the supply and service center for many area logging camps. Independent sportsmen and tourists utilize the local charter boats and lodges, but there is no deep water dock suitable for cruise ships. Petersburg is accessed by air and water. It is on the mainline State ferry route. The State-owned James A. Johnson Airport and Lloyd R. Roundtree Seaplane Base (on the Wrangell Narrows) allow for scheduled jet and float plane services. The runway is 6,000' long by 150' wide asphalt. Harbor facilities include three docks, two petroleum wharves, two barge terminals, three boat harbors with moorage for 700 boats, a boat launch and boat haul-out. Freight arrives by barge, ferry or cargo plane. There is no deep water dock for large ships such as cruise ships; passengers are lightered to shore.

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

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[graphic version Petersburg Alaska]