Editing Gakona, Alaska

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name                   = Gakona
| native_name                     = Ggax Kuna’
| settlement_type                 = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline                   = Gakona Roadhouse from side.jpg
| imagesize                       = 250px
| image_caption                   = Side view of the Gakona Roadhouse, a major community building
| image_flag                      = 
| image_seal                      = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                       = AKMap-doton-Gakona.PNG
| mapsize                         = 250px
| map_caption                     = Location of Gakona, Alaska
| image_map1                      = 
| mapsize1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = 
| pushpin_map                     = Alaska#North America

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = {{flag|Alaska}}
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|Census Area]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Copper River Census Area, Alaska|Copper River]]
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = 
| leader_title                    = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
| leader_name                     = [[Click Bishop]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
| leader_title1                   = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
| leader_name1                    = [[Mike Cronk]] (R)
| established_title               = 
| established_date                = 
<!-- Area -->
| area_magnitude                  = 
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_02.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2                  = 157.06
| area_land_km2                   = 157.03
| area_water_km2                  = 0.03
| area_total_sq_mi                = 60.64
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 60.63
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.01

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_total                = 169

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                        = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
| utc_offset                      = -9
| timezone_DST                    = AKDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = -8
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_m                     = 
| elevation_ft                    = 
| coordinates                     = {{coord|62|18|17|N|145|16|24|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code                     = 99586
| area_code                       = [[Area code 907|907]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 02-27420
| blank1_name                     = 
| blank1_info                     = 
| website                         = 
| footnotes                       = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|population_density_sq_mi = 2.79
|population_density_km2   = 1.08
}}

'''Gakona''' {{IPAc-en|ɡ|ə|ˈ|k|oʊ|n|ə}} (''Ggax Kuna’''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alaska Native Place Names |url=https://www.uaf.edu/anla/collections/map/names/ |website=University of Alaska Fairbanks}}</ref> in [[Ahtna language|Ahtna Athabascan]]) is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in the [[Copper River Census Area, Alaska|Copper River Census Area]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the CDP was 169, down from 218 in 2010.<ref name="2020 Census Data">{{cite web | url = https://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/cen/2020-census-data.html | title = 2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places | format = Web | publisher = State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development | access-date = December 5, 2021}}</ref> It is home to the [[High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program]].

==Geography and climate==
Gakona is located at {{coord|62|18|17|N|145|16|24|W|type:city}} (62.301940, -145.30194)<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> (Sec. 18, T006N, R001E, Copper River Meridian). It is positioned in the Chitina [[Recording District (Alaska)|Recording District]] in the center of Copper Valley, surrounded by mountains and the [[Copper River (Alaska)|Copper River]].

Gakona is at the confluence of the Copper and [[Gakona River|Gakona]] rivers, {{convert|15|mi|km}} northeast of [[Glennallen, Alaska|Glennallen]]. It lies at mile 2 on the [[Tok Cut-Off]] to the [[Glenn Highway]], just east of the [[Richardson Highway]]. Gakona is located in the continental climate zone, with long, cold winters and relatively warm summers. Temperature extremes have been recorded from {{convert|-62|to|91|F|C}}. Snowfall averages {{convert|61|in|cm}}, with total precipitation of {{convert|13|in|mm}} per year.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|61.3|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

==History and culture==
[[Ahtna people|Ahtna]] [[Athabascans]] have lived in the Copper River basin for 5,000 to 7,000 years. Gakona served as a wood and fish camp, and later became a permanent village. A federally recognised tribe, the Native Village of Gakona, is located in the community.

In 1904 Doyle's Roadhouse was constructed at the junction of the Valdez-Eagle and Valdez-Fairbanks Trails, and became an essential stopping point for travelers. There was also a post office, stagecoach station and blacksmith shop here. Some buildings are still standing. Gakona Lodge was built in 1929 by Arne N Sundt and was operated by Henra Sundt until 1976 when she sold it to the Strang family. Originally from Norway, Sundt purchased the old roadhouse and property from the Slate Creek Mining Company in about 1926. Sundt was a director of the Nabesna Mining Company. The lodge is on the National Register of Historical Places. It contains 10 rooms in the lodge, 4 cabins, and restaurant and tavern. It is presently a popular destination for sports fishing, particularly king and sockeye salmon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Gakona Lodge |url=https://www.gakonalodge.com/ |website=Gakona Lodge}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1940= 46
|1950= 50
|1960= 33
|1970= 88
|1980= 87
|1990= 25
|2000= 215
|2010= 218
|2020= 169
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref>
}}
Gakona first appeared on the 1940 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 215 people, 84 households, and 60 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|3.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 90 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 75.35% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 12.09% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.86% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 10.70% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

Of the 84 households, 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 3.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.8% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 133.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 131.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $44,375. Males had a median income of $41,250 versus $46,875 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $18,143. About 9.4% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 10.5% of those 65 or over.

==Public services==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2009}}
Groceries, limited hardware, local clothing, limited sporting goods, and ice are available at the trading post. Salmon fishing and river rafting are popular recreational activities.

All residences have individual wells and septic systems and complete plumbing. The school uses its own well water system. Funds have been requested to construct a new water well and storage tank for a HUD housing complex. Refuse collection services are available from Copper Basin Sanitation, which hauls waste to the Glennallen landfill. Electricity is provided by Copper Valley Electric Assoc. Local hospitals or health clinics include Gakona Health Clinic and the Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen (about 30 miles away). Gakona is classified as an isolated village; it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers, while auxiliary health care is provided by Delta Medical Transport, Gulkana Clinic, and the Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen.

[[Copper River School District]] previously operated the Gakona Elementary School.<ref name="AKEED035">[https://web.archive.org/web/20030314125836/http://www.eed.state.ak.us/forms/Assessment/05-03-035.pdf AKEED Form # 05-03-035 (Revised 03/15/06)], page 11/23, [[Alaska Department of Education]], retrieved February 13, 2017</ref> Since 2003, it was attended by 15-17 students, until it was closed in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gakona Elementary School (Closed 2015)|url=https://www.publicschoolreview.com/gakona-elementary-school-profile|website=Public School Review|access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref>  The school still wasn't open in the 2017/2018 school year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gakona Elementary, Copper River School District|url=https://education.alaska.gov/DOE_Rolodex/SchoolCalendar/Home/SchoolDetails/110040#|publisher=[[Alaska Department of Education & Early Development]]|access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref>

== Economy and transportation ==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2009}}

Gakona depends upon local businesses and seasonal tourist travel. There is a Historic Lodge (National Register of Historic Places) called [[Gakona Roadhouse|Gakona Lodge and Trading Post]] that has rooms, a restaurant, cabins and tavern. Gakona sawmill and dog sled maker. Summers provide income for local fishing and hunting guides, rafting operations and outfitters. Three residents currently hold commercial fishing permits.    
Gakona is located adjacent to the Copper, Gakona and Gulkana Rivers allowing access to world class King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon and Rainbow Trout fishing. Some residents rely on subsistence activities and trapping. Recording equipment for the [[High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program]] (HAARP) is located near Gakona.

The Glenn Highway/Tok Cut-Off and Richardson Highway provide access to the [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]], [[Fairbanks, Alaska|Fairbanks]] and the [[Lower 48]]. A {{convert|5000|ft|m|adj=on}} paved runway is available at nearby [[Gulkana, Alaska|Gulkana]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/dcra/DCRAExternal/community/Details=Gakona Alaska Division of Community Advocacy - Community Information Summary] {{dead link|date=December 2015}}
{{Copper River Census Area, Alaska}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ahtna]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Alaska]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Copper River Census Area, Alaska]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Unorganized Borough, Alaska]]