Nenana, Alaska
Encyclopedia : N : NE : NEN : Nenana, Alaska
Nenana (IPA pronunciation: [nɛ 'næː nə]) is a Home Rule City in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area of the U.S. state of Alaska. Nenana is part of the Unorganized Borough. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 402; a state demographer put the population at 549 in 2004.
Location and Climate
Nenana is located at (Sec. 14, T004S, R008W, Fairbanks Meridian)[Geographic references#1GR1] in the Nenana Recording District.
Nenana is located in Interior Alaska, 55 road miles southwest of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway and 304 road miles northeast of Anchorage. It is at mile 412 of the Alaska Railroad, on the south bank of the Tanana River, just east of the mouth of the Nenana River. Nenana has a cold, continental climate with an extreme temperature range. The average daily maximum during summer months is 65 to 70; the daily minimum during winter is well below zero. The highest temperature ever recorded is 98; the lowest is -69. Average precipitation is 11.4 inches, with 48.9 inches of snowfall annually. The River is ice-free from mid-May to mid-October.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.8 km² (6.1 mi²). 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.99%) is water.
History, Culture and Demographics
Nenana is in the western-most portion of Tanana Athabascan Indian territory. It was first known as Tortella, an interpretation of the Indian word "Toghotthele," which means "mountain that parallels the river." Early explorers such as Allen, Harper and Bates first entered the Tanana Valley in 1875 and 1885. However, the Tanana people were accustomed to contact with Europeans, due to trading journeys to the Village of Tanana, where Russians bartered Western goods for furs. The discovery of gold in Fairbanks in 1902 brought intense activity to the region. A trading post/roadhouse was constructed by Jim Duke in 1903, to supply river travelers and trade with Indians. St. Mark's Episcopal mission and school was built upriver in 1905. Native children from other communities, such as Minto, attended school in Nenana. A post office opened in 1908. By 1909, there were about 12,000 residents in the Fairbanks area, most drawn by gold mining activities. In 1915, construction of the Alaska Railroad doubled Nenana's population. The community incorporated as a city in 1921. The Railroad Depot was completed in 1923, when President Warren Harding drove the golden spike at the north end of the 700-foot steel bridge over the Tanana River. Nenana now had a transportation link to Fairbanks and Seward. According to local records, 5,000 residents lived in Nenana during this time, however, completion of the railroad was followed by an economic slump. The population in 1930 was recorded at 291. In 1961, Clear Air Force Station was constructed 21 miles southwest, and many civilian contractors commuted from Nenana. A road was constructed south to Clear, but north, vehicles were ferried across the Tanana River. In 1967 the community was devastated by one of the largest floods ever recorded in the valley. In 1968, a $6 million bridge was completed across the Tanana River, which gave the city a road link to Fairbanks and replaced the River ferry. The George Parks Highway was completed in 1971, which provided a shorter, direct route to Anchorage.Residents of Nenana have sponsored a lottery, called the Nenana Ice Classic to pick the date and time to the closest minute when the ice covering the nearby Tanana River breaks, thus signalling the start of spring. This lottery began in 1917 when a group of surveyors working for the Alaska Railroad whiled the time they spent waiting for the river to open and boats with supplies to reach them by forming a betting pool. Interest in the pool continued, and spread through Alaska. This lottery has paid out nearly $10 million in prize money with the winning pool in recent years being near $300,000.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Nenana Native Association.
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 402 people, 171 households, and 87 families residing in the city. The population density was 25.7/km² (66.6/mi²). There were 210 housing units at an average density of 13.4/km² (34.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 50.75% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 41.04% Native American, 0.50% Asian, and 7.46% from two or more races. 2.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 171 households out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.0% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.1% were non-families. 42.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 112.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $40,938. Males had a median income of $46,125 versus $26,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,334. About 13.4% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Water is derived from two wells, is treated and distributed via circulating loops. A piped gravity system collects sewage, which is treated at a secondary treatment plant. Most of the City is connected to the piped water and sewer system -- 215 homes and the school are served. The remaining homes have individual wells and septic systems. Refuse is collected by a private firm, and hauled to the new Denali Borough regional landfill, located south of Anderson. Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association. There are 2 schools located in the community, attended by 1,368 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Nenana Native Clinic (832-5247) or Fairbanks hospitals. Specialized Services: Railbelt Mental Health & Addiction Services. Nenana is classified as a highway town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway, river and airport access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide Auxiliary health care is provided by Nenana Volunteer Fire/EMS (832-5632) or Fairbanks hospitals.Economy and Transportation
Over 40% of the year-round jobs are government-funded, including the City, Tribe, Nenana School District, Yukon-Koyukuk School District, and DOT highway maintenance. Nenana has a strong seasonal private sector economy as the center of rail-to-river barge transportation center for the Interior. Yutana Barge Lines is the major private employer in Nenana, supplying villages along the Tanana and Yukon Rivers each summer with cargo and fuel. The City also attracts independent travelers with fuel and supplies, the Alaska Railroad Museum, the Golden Railroad Spike Historic Park and Interpretive Center, the historical Episcopal Church, Iditarod dog kennels, and a replica of the sternwheeler Nenana. A heritage center is also under development. The Nenana Ice Classic administration provides short-term employment for nearly 100 locals. 27 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The majority of Native households rely on subsistence foods, such as salmon, moose, caribou (by permit), bear, waterfowl and berries.Taxes: Sales: 4%, Property: 12.0 mills, Special: None
Nenana has excellent air, river, road and railroad access. The George Parks Highway provides road access to Fairbanks and Anchorage. The railroad provides daily freight service. The Nenana Municipal Airport offers a 5,000' long by 100' wide asphalt, lighted runway, in addition to a turf, 2,520' long by 80' wide air strip. The airport also has float plane and ski plane landing areas. The Nenana Port Authority operates the dry cargo loading and unloading facilities, dock, bulkhead, and warehouse. The Tanana River is shallow, with a maximum draft for loaded river barges of 4.5 feet; by comparison, the Yukon River has very few shallow areas.
Regional Organizations
City - City of NenanaP.O. Box 70
Nenana, AK 99760
Phone 907-832-5441
Fax 907-832-5503
E-mail nenana1@yukon.com
http://www.nenana.org
Community Non-Profit - Goldstream Community Association
HC 33 Box 31440
Nenana, AK 99760
Phone 907-332-2589
Fax 907-457-7487
School District - Nenana City School District
P.O. Box 10
Nenana, AK 99760-0010
Phone 907-832-5464
Fax 907-832-2008
E-mail rthomason@nenana.ncsd.schoolaccess.net
http://www.nenana.gcisa.net/index.html
Village Corporation - Toghotthele Corporation
P.O. Box 249
Nenana, AK 99760
Phone 907-832-5461
Fax 907-832-1077
Village Council - Nenana Native Village Association
P.O. Box 356
Nenana, AK 99760
Phone 907-832-5461
Fax 907-832-1077
Regional Native Corporation - Doyon, Limited
One Doyon Place, Suite 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701-2941
Phone 907-459-2000
Fax 907-459-2060
E-mail info@doyon.com
http://www.doyon.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference
122 First Avenue, Suite 600
Fairbanks, AK 99701-4897
Phone 907-452-8251
Fax 907-459-3850
E-mail hbrown@tananachiefs.org
http://www.tananachiefs.org
External links and references
- [Alaska Division of Community Advocacy - Community Information Summary]
- [Alaska Division of Community Advocacy - Community Photos]
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