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Petersburg Alaska
Location and
Climate
Petersburg is located on the north end of Mitkof Island,
where the Wrangell Narrows meet Frederick Sound. It lies
midway between Juneau and Ketchikan, about 120 miles from
either community. Petersburg is located in the Petersburg
Recording District. The area encompasses 43 sq. miles of
land and 5 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. 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.
10.4% of the population are
Alaska Natives. A federally recognized tribe is located in
the community. This non-Native 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.
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. 502 residents hold
commercial fishing permits. Unlike the rest of Southeast, it
has escaped the marked cycles of boom-and-bust. Several
processors operate cold storage, canneries and custom
packing services, employing over 1,100 people during the
peak season. The state runs the Crystal Lake Hatchery which
contributes to the local salmon resource, and the U.S.
Forest Service operates a tree nursery. Residents include
salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab in their diet. It 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) allows for scheduled
jet and float plane services. The runway is paved, and is
6,000'. Harbor facilities include three docks, two petroleum
wharves, two barge terminals, three boat harbors with
moorage for 600 boats, a boat launch, and boat haul-out.
Barges deliver goods on a regular basis. There is no deep
water dock or anchorage for large ships such as cruise
ships.
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Source: Department of
Community & Economic
Development
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