Petersburg (Alaska)

Unorganized Borough

02-60310

Petersburg is a city in Petersburg Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. It lies at the northern end of Mitkof Island, which is part of the Alexander Archipelago, halfway between Juneau, located 190 km north, and Ketchikan, located 180 km south. It lies in the so-called Alaska Panhandle.

The village has about 3000 inhabitants and mainly live from fishing. This possibility already recognized years ago, at least 2,000 American Indian groups in the 19th century operation of the Norwegians Peter Buschmann, which the town takes its name, a factory for canned fish. In addition, tourism has become an important economic factor.

History

Years ago at least 2000 was located at the north end of Mitkof Island, a summer camp of the living on the Kupreanof Island Tlingit, which was used for fishing. It later became a permanently inhabited settlement on Sandy Beach. Here are also petroglyphs.

A native of Norway immigrant Peter Buschmann settled in the town later named after him in 1897 and built in 1898 a canning factory and a port facility. The LeConte Glacier provided the necessary ice to cool the fish the Icy StraitsPacking Co. It is the predecessor of today's Petersburg Fisheries Inc., which in turn Icicle Seafoods Inc. is one of Seattle. 1900 built Bushman also a sawmill.

More Norwegian immigrants followed, so the place was nicknamed Little Norway. In 1910 he was raised to the city (incorporated ). May 17, the Norwegian National Day is celebrated since 1958.

1916 came the Alaskan Glacier Seafoods which will now Trident Seafoods, Inc. added. Founded by Earl Ohmer and Charles I Sifferman It burned down in 1943 and moved to the corner of Main / Excel Street. In 1985, it burned down again. In 1990 it merged with Silver Lining Seafoods from Ketchikan, 1992 with the Lafayette Fisheries Inc. Trident processed today especially salmon, halibut and shrimp.

The civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich, the 1945 helped to enforce a first anti-discrimination law in the U.S., and called for civil rights for the local Indians, left her house the Petersburg Indian Association. Their Cultural therefore contributes since October 2008, the name Elizabeth Peratrovich Center.

Petersburg is Alaska's largest fish producers, but the boom of the 1980s is over. According to the American Fisheries Agency were in the year 2004 103 million pounds of fish - which corresponds to an amount of about 46 720 tons - handled. Thus Petersburg was the twelfth largest fishing port in the United States. 2008, the port continued to marine animals in the amount of $ 34,200,000. The timber industry fell back against it, while tourism is expanding steadily. 2008 40.000 visitors came to Petersburg.

Between 1972 and 1984 the harbor was significantly expanded.

From 2000 Interpretive Center, a museum visitor, and two 12 m high totem poles by Tommy Joseph arose from Sitka. They were the starting point for the Totem Park and Eagle and Raven devoted, according to the clans of the local Tlingit.

Demography

The population development of the town can be traced back to 1920. Petersburg at that time had about 900 inhabitants, a figure which rose to 1950 to around 1600. There, the number stagnated until the 60 years to 1970 to exceed the 2000. 1990 were counted 3,200 residents.

Traffic

Petersburg can be reached by ferry or plane. Twice a day the airfield with Anchorage and Seattle is connected. The ferry accomplish ships from Alaska Marine Highway and the Inter - Iceland Ferry Authority ( May to September).

Environment

One of the most important protected areas of the Tongass National Forest, part of the Petersburg Ranger District.

Culture and Science

Clausen Museum

In 1968, the Clausen Museum, which has set itself the goal of both the culture of the Tlingit, as well as the coming from Europe and the U.S. groups to present. The house holds over 5,000 artifacts, 45,000 photos and has recorded around 200 collections.

Petersburg Marine Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center, which was founded in 1998, is engaged in the research and protection of the marine mammals of the region. It offers exhibits and classes.

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