Willow Alaska

Population: 1838

Location and Climate
Willow is located in the Mat-Su Borough, between mile 60 and 80.7 of the George Parks Highway, north of Houston. Its western boundary is the Susitna River. It lies at approximately 61.747220° North Latitude and -150.0375° West Longitude. (Sec. 08, T019N, R004W, Seward Meridian.) Willow is located in the Palmer Recording District. The area encompasses 684.8 sq. miles of land and 8.0 sq. miles of water. January temperatures range from -33 to 33; July can range from 42 to 83. Rainfall varies from 16 to 27 inches, with 48 to 150 inches of snowfall.

History, Culture and Demographics
Dena'ina Athabascan Indians have occupied this area historically, living in semi-permanent villages. The community got its start when gold was discovered on Willow Creek in 1897. Supplies and equipment were brought in by boat to Knik. From there, a 26-mile summer trail went northwest, up Cottonwood Creek, and across Bald Mountain to Willow Creek. The winter sled trail went north, crossing the present line of the Alaska Railroad at Houston, and up the west end of Bald Mountain for 30 miles. This trail, dubbed the "Double Ender Sled Trail," is still being used by skiers, hunters, backpackers and snowmobile enthusiasts. The sleds then followed a trail along Willow Creek in an easterly direction, now Hatcher Pass Road. The Talkeetna Trail also passed through Willow and was used by dog teams and pack horses. Cabins to accommodate freighters and mail carriers were located at Nancy Lake, Willow and other points north. This route was the forerunner of the Parks Highway. During construction of the Alaska Railroad, surveyors, construction crews, homesteaders and other settlers came to Willow. A Railroad station house was constructed in 1920. During World War II, a radar warning station and airfield were built. The Trail's End Lodge was built in 1947; it subsequently became a post office in 1948. By 1954, Willow Creek was Alaska's largest gold mining district, with a total production approaching 18 million dollars. Land disposals, homestead subdivisions, and completion of the George Parks Highway in 1972 fueled growth in the area. In 1976, Alaskans selected Willow for their new State capital site. However, funding to enable the capital move was defeated in the November 1982 election. 6% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. Almost 60% of the 1,500 homes in Willow are vacant or for seasonal-use. Nancy Lake is a popular recreation site. Several residents participate in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Junior high and high school students are bused south to Houston. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,530 total housing units, and 876 were vacant. 810 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 625 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 11.72%, although 50.98% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $38,906, per capita income was $22,323, and 22.11% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Nearly all of the occupied homes in Willow use individual water wells and septic tanks, and are fully plumbed. The school operates its own water system. Seasonal-use homes haul water and use outhouses. A Borough refuse transfer site is available on Willow-Fishhook Road, about 2 miles off the Parks Hwy. Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association. There are 2 schools located in the community, attended by 180 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Sunshine Community Health Center (733-2273) in Talkeetna or Valley Hospital in Palmer (746-8600). Willow 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. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Willow Ambulance Service (373-8800/745-4811) and Valley Hospital in Palmer.

Economy and Transportation
Many Willow residents are self-employed in a variety of businesses, including lodging, guiding and charter services, and retail stores. There are two saw mills and one prefabricated wood building manufacturer. Some residents are employed in the Palmer, Wasilla or Anchorage. 18 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Capitol Speedway attracts stockcar racing enthusiasts from the entire state. From the George Parks Highway, the area has access to the statewide highway system and the transportation facilities of Wasilla, Palmer and Anchorage. There are two public airstrips available, one a State-owned 4,400' long by 75' wide gravel airstrip at Mile 69.7 Parks Hwy., and another at Deshka Landing, owned by the Dept. of Natural Resources. There are five additional private strips, and a seaplane base at Kashwitna Lake.

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

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[graphic version Willow Alaska]