Final Project - Craig, Alaska

Craig, Alaska from Sunnahae - city-data.com

Part I  Timeline - Prince of Wales Island (POW), Alaska 

 

Fishing Industry

The Tlingit and Haida Natives have  thrived on the island of Prince of Wales and the surrounding areas for centuries because of the resources available in the area.  These Natives found the area suitable because of abundant resources and mild winters provided by the temperate rain forest.

Saltery and Cold Storage - ASL-P39-0358 AK Digital Archive

 The same abundant resources that made this area appealing to the Natives eventually attracted others to the area.  Because of healthy salmon runs, fish processing facilities were built on Prince of Wales Island.  The cannery in Klawock, built in 1878, was one of the first built in Southeast Alaska.  In 1907, Craig Miller along with some local Haida men, established a saltery on Fish Egg Island, near present day Craig.  It was comprised of shacks and tents.  

Cannery at Fish Egg - 1910-1920 AK Digital Archives  UAA-hmc-1011-11

  The fishing industry continued to grow with prolific salmon runs.  In the years of 1908-1912 a permanent saltery, cold storage facility, and cannery were built at the present location of Craig.  Along with the cannery, permanent housing structures were constructed.  The fish processing industry boomed as high demand for salmon existed during World War I.

The fishing industry in Southeast Alaska is a perfect example of the boom and bust economy that has existed in Alaska.  When the depression hit salmon prices slumped.  In years following the depression, the industry would often flourish then fail.  Depleted salmon runs from overfishing and the U.S. involvement in World War II took a toll on the fishing industry.  

Ward Cove Cannery - flickr.com

The  Ward Cove Cannery burnt down in 1956, leaving the place in ruins. This abandoned structures still remain today as a footprint of the past booming industry.

Today the fishing industry still supports much of the economy on Prince of Wales Island.  The old canneries are simply memories but fishing continues to be a major industry.  In 2007 the City of Craig and Silver Bay Seafoods agreed upon the construction and operation of a new processing and cold storage facility that would be built in Craig.  This facility employed nearly 250 people in 2011.  

Timber  

 

Lumber from Prince of Wales - AK Digital Archives ASL-P207-31-05

The first sawmill was opened on POW in 1912.  Usually there was a connection with lumber and other industries.  In Southeast Alaska sawmills were typically opened in conjunction with fishing and mining industries or other economic catalysts. When the need for production ceased in areas usually the sawmills shut down because of the fact that most of the lumber was used locally and there was no other market for the product.  

The increases and decreases in production and use of lumber coincides with many of the events that occurred in or involved Alaska and the United States.  For example, World War I increased the demand for fish.  This demand for fish increased the demand for lumber was needed to build fish traps, pilings, packing cases, mine timbers, dock piles and timbers, and lumber for construction.  The war also increased the need for Sitka spruce which was being used for the production of airplanes.  The use of wood for airplanes was required because of the country's inability to meet the demands for metals that were typically used for airplane construction.  

In the 1950s an event occurred that turned the industry around.  A fifty year forest service contract was signed that would increase lumber production.  Also, a global market was established that would perpetuate growth of the industry in the coming years.  Lumber still continues to support the economy on Prince of Wales Island and throughout Southeast Alaska. 
  

 

Mining

 

Many mining attempts have taken place on Prince of Wales.  One example, the Salt Chuck Mine, located near the present day Kasaan,  operated from 1905-1941 producing over 300,000 tons of ore.  Copper, silver, gold, and palladium are some of the ores that were extracted from this site and other mining sites on the island.  With the mining booms came population growth.  

Mining Camp at Sulzer, Alaska - AK Digital Archives ASL-P104-044

Hollis, a town on the east coast of POW, is another example of the mining boom. In the early 1900s gold and silver were mined here. Nearly 1,000 residents resided in the community at this time. When mining production ceased around 1915 the town was abandoned.  Hollis is the current location for the ferry terminal that connects the island to Ketchikan but has little industry to keep the town alive.  The 2010 census reported the population of Hollis to be 112 residents.


Mining possibilities are still being investigated on Prince of Wales Island as tests are being conducted at various sites.  Will this produce more growth?  Only time will tell.

 

 

World War  I and II 

As mentioned previously in the fishing industry, timber, and mining sections, the two World Wars had impact on many of the industries on Prince of Wales Island.  

Spruce Goose - www.century-of-flight.net

The fishing industry flourished during World War I because of the high demand for salmon but declined during World War II because of declining salmon runs, the draft,  and booming industries in other areas of the state. 


Timber production increased during the WWI and WWII because of demand.  Wood was a new product being used for production of things such as airplanes because of a shortage of metals.   With the demands came growth to Prince of Wales Island.

 

Travel 

 

Because of location, travel to Prince of Wales Island has always been challenging.  In the early 1900s steam services were available from Seattle to the island.  As new economic opportunities were presented new travel opportunities followed.  

IFA Ferry - evergreenfleet.com

When the Alaska Marine Highway was established more frequent voyages would take passengers to and from POW.  For years ferry services were available sporadically, making it possible to get to and from the island on a more consistent schedule. 

As the industries of fishing and lumber grew, a need for regular ferry services to Prince of Wales Island occurred.  In 1997 the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) was organized to help provide improved transportation to the island.  Alaska's Municipal Port Authority Act made it possible for several cities on the island to establish the IFA as a public corporation that would serve the members of the community with transportation services.

 

 

Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act

 

Shaanseet.com

In 1971 the Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act (ANSCA) was passed.  This created Native corporations throughout the state.  Shaan-Seet was the village corporation established in Craig, Alaska.  This corporation has been active in providing economic opportunities.  

Shaan-Seet has provided jobs to many people in the community. The corporation has conducted logging operation, owned and operated lodges, restaurants, and bars, as well as established itself in the real estate sector. 

Part II - Cause Effect Statements  

 

Because of salmon runs in and around Prince of Wales Island many fish processing facilities have been established on POW.  In order to operate these facilities many people flocked to the area.  
Link:  Resources, Economy, Population/Settlement 


A need for lumber during the World Wars and the abundance of wood available on POW created economic opportunities on the island.  Again, populations increased because of demands on the timber industry.
Link:  Resource, Economy, World Wars, Population/Settlement

 
Because of ANSCA, the Native corporation Shaan-Seet was established.  This has provided residents in and around the areas of Craig, Alaska with opportunities for employment and leisure activities.  
Link:  Government, Economy, Population