Klawock, AK | Klawock Business Listings Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
Current Population: 750 (certified December, 2000, by DCED) Incorporation Type: 1st Class City Borough Located In: Unorganized Taxes: Sales: 5.5%, Property: None, Special: None Location and Climate
Klawock is located on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island, on Klawock Inlet, across from Klawock Island. It is 7 miles road north of Craig, 24 road miles from Hollis, and 56 air miles west of Ketchikan. It lies at approximately 55d 33m N Latitude, 133d 05m W Longitude (Sec. 09, T073S, R081E, Copper River Meridian). Klawock is located in the Ketchikan Recording District. The area encompasses .3 sq. miles of land and .3 sq. miles of water. Prince of Wales Island is dominated by a cool, moist, maritime climate. Summer temperatures range from 49 to 63; winter temperatures range 32 to 42. Average annual precipitation is 120 inches, including 40 inches of snow. History, Culture and Demographics
Early inhabitants were from Tuxekan, a Tlingit winter village to the north. Klawock was used as a summer fishing camp, and has been known as Klawerak, Tlevak, Clevak and Klawak. The history of Klawock is closely tied to the fishing industry. A trading post and salmon saltery were established in 1868, and the first cannery in Alaska was built here by a San Francisco firm in 1878. The subsequent canneries that sprouted in the area were operated under contract with Chinese laborers. A hatchery for red salmon operated at Klawock Lake between 1897 and 1917. In 1929, Klawock incorporated as a City, and a school was constructed. In 1934, Klawock received federal funds under the Wheeler Howard Act to develop a local cannery, on the condition that residents vote to be liquor-free. In 1971 the Alaska Timber Corp. build a sawmill. Soon after, the Klawock-Heenya Village Corp., the Shaan Seet Corp. of Craig, and Sealaska Timber Corp. expanded area facilities with a log sort yard outside of Klawock and a deep-water dock on Klawock Island. The State constructed a salmon hatchery on Klawock Lake in 1978, very near the former hatchery site.
Alaska Natives represent 54.3% of the population. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community. Klawock is a mixed Tlingit and non-Native city. The Island has been greatly influenced by logging operations. Most residents pursue a subsistence lifestyle to provide food sources. The community takes great pride in its Totem Park, which displays 21 restored totem poles and replicas from the old village. The Totem Park includes a Heritage Center and Long House. Sale of alcohol is restricted to the City-owned package store.
During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 281 total housing units, and 40 of these were vacant. The official unemployment rate at that time was 17.3%, with 267 jobs estimated to be in the community and 48.4% of all adults not in the work force. The median household income was $39,583, and 8.4% of residents were living below the poverty level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Over 90% of homes are fully plumbed. Water is derived from a dam on Half Mile Creek, then is treated, stored in a tank, and piped throughout Klawock. Most homes have piped sewage collection, which receives secondary treatment. Work has begun to expand the water storage capability due to seasonal water shortages, to construct a new sewage treatment plant, and to upgrade the water treatment in preparation for expansion of the piped system to lots in the new Mary Jackson subdivision. The City provides refuse collection, which is hauled to an unpermitted landfill shared with Craig. Funds have been requested to develop a permitted site with incinerator. The Tlingit-Haida Regional Electric Authority is a non-profit subdivision of the State which purchases electricity from Alaska Power & Telephone over the Craig/Klawock intertie. THREA also owns four standby diesel generators in Klawock.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Power & Telephone.
There are 2 schools located in the community, attended by 190 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Alicia Roberts Medical Center (755-4800). The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center Auxiliary health care is provided by Klawock Volunteer Fire/EMS (755-2341/2626); Prince of Wales Island Area EMS (826-2367/3330).
Economy and Transportation
The economy has been dependent on fishing and cannery operations in the past, however the timber industry has become increasingly important in recent years. The Klawock Timber Co. sawmill and area logging operations are the largest employers. 43 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The state operates a fish hatchery on Klawock Lake that contributes to the local salmon population. Cannery operations were closed in the late 1980s. The City is interested in developing a cold storage plant, tourism, and minerals. Subsistence foods include deer, salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab.
Klawock is dependent on air transportation from Ketchikan, however it is connected by the Island road system to other communities. The only airstrip on Prince of Wales Island is located here, with a 5,000' paved runway. A seaplane base is operated by the State on the Klawock River. Ferry transportation is available to Hollis, 23 miles away. Klawock has a small boat harbor and boat launch ramp. A deep draft dock is located at Klawock Island, which is primarily used for loading timber. Freight arrives by cargo plane, barge and truck.