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