Talkeetna Alaska
Located at the base of Mt. McKinley
Mile 99 of the Alaska Parks Highway
HISTORY:
Talkeetna is a beautiful little town at the convergent point of three rivers the Talkeetna, Chulitna and Susitna. Talkeetna is a Native American word meaning, "where the rivers meet." Originally the site of a Tanaina village, Talkeetna was established as a mining town and trading post in 1896, before either Wasilla or Anchorage existed. A gold rush to the Susitna River brought prospectors to the area, and by 1910, Talkeetna became a riverboat steamer station. In 1915, Talkeetna was chosen as the site for the Alaska Engineering Commission, who would build the Alaska Railroad, and the community peaked near 1,000. World War I and completion of the railroad in 1919 dramatically decreased the population. Several of its old log buildings are historical landmarks, and Talkeetna was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in April 1993. During 1998, the community petitioned the Local Boundary Commission for incorporation as a home rule city.
INFORMATION:
Current Population: 363 (certified December, 1998, by DCED)
Incorporation Type: Unincorporated
Borough Located In: Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Taxes: Sales: None; - Property: 16.6 mill (Borough); - 5% Accommodations Tax (Borough)
City: Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 334, Talkeetna, AK 99676, Phone 907-733-2330 , Fax
907-733-5051
Working aircraft at Talkeetna Aero. TAT Air Service. - Don Sheldon's air taxi, and previously owned by Lowell Thomas Jr. Lt. Gov. Alaska TAT Beaver landing climbers at McKinley. Eldridge Glacier Don Sheldon, Glacier Pilot. Lived in, and flew from Talkeetna. Old Village Strip, still in use by locals. Summit Ridge, Mt. McKinley Talkeetna Ranger Station for Denali National Park Don Sheldon Amphitheatre Talkeetna, Alaska. A friendly community with a rich heritage of gold mining, guiding, aviation and mountain climbing support. Located just 75 miles north of Anchorage (by air).
