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Northway
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Location and
Climate
History,
Culture and Demographics The area around
Northway was first utilized by semi-nomadic Athabascans who
pursued seasonal subsistence activities in the vicinity of Scottie
and Gardiner Creeks and Chisana, Nabesna, and Tanana Rivers. The
Native settlement of Northway Village is located 2 miles south of
Northway. The Native village was named in 1942 after Chief Walter
Northway, who adopted his name from a Tanana and Nabesna riverboat
captain. The development and settlement of Northway was due to
construction of the airport during World War II. The Northway
airport was a link in the Northwest Staging Route, a cooperative
project between the U.S. and Canada. A chain of air bases through
Canada to Fairbanks were used to supply an Alaska defense during
World War II, and during the construction of the Alcan Highway. A
post office was first established in 1941. 82.1% of the population are Alaska
Native or part Native. The area was traditionally Athabascan,
though road construction and the airport have brought a permanent
non-Native population. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there
were 40 total housing units, and 10 of these were vacant. 6 of
these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care Over half of
households are not plumbed. Due to high groundwater and deep
permafrost, individual water wells and septic systems often
freeze. A flush/haul system is currently under construction for
100 area homes. The Northway Village Council operates the local
washeteria. The landfill is not permitted. Electricity is provided by Northway
Power & Light. There is one school located in the
community, attended by 74 students. Auxiliary health care is provided by
Northway First Responder Service (778-2343/2311) or Northway
Clinic at native village. Economy
and Transportation Most wage
employment is with facilities or services for the airport. An FAA
Flight Service Station and U.S. Customs office are located at the
airport. A motel, cafe, bar and pool hall, grocery store, and
electric utility provide some employment. Unemployment is
relatively high, although fire fighting and construction jobs
bring seasonal income. Trapping also provides income. Subsistence
is important to the Native population. Northway is connected to the Alaska
Highway by an unpaved road. Scheduled buses are available, and
trucking services deliver freight to the community. There is a
State-owned 5,100' asphalt runway, with an FAA station and U.S.
Customs office. Regular flights are available to Fairbanks, as
well as charter services. Organizations
with Local Offices No local
organization or contact is available for this community. Regional
Organizations School District
- Alaska Gateway Schools, P.O. Box 226, Tok, AK 99780, Phone
907-883-5151, Fax 907-883-4356, E-mail: jelliott@tok.agsd.schoolzone.net,
Web: http://sztok.tok.agsd.schoolzone.net/index.htm |