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Welcome to the Genealogy Trails website for Yakutat Borough, Alaska
Our goal is to help you track your ancestors through time by transcribing genealogical and historical data and
placing it online for the free use of all researchers. This is a continuation of our original Illinois Trails History and Genealogy Project
and we are excited about this opportunity to expand into other states.
We welcome your feedback and comments, and of course, your data contributions. If you have transcribed data that
you would like to have posted on this website, please send it to us.
If you would like to be kept informed of our state and county website updates, subscribe to our mailing lists
This Site is Available for Adoption!
We are looking for a coordinator for this site.... folks who share our dedication to putting data online and are
interested in helping this project be as helpful and useful to researchers as it can be. If you are interested
in joining our group as host of this site, view our Volunteer Page for further information
and contact
Kim.
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Location and Climate
Yakutat is isolated among the lowlands along the Gulf of Alaska, 225 miles northwest of Juneau and 220 miles southeast
of Cordova. It is at the mouth of Yakutat Bay, one of the few refuges for vessels along this stretch of coast.
The Hubbard and Malaspina Glaciers are nearby. It lies at approximately 59.546940° North Latitude and -139.727220°
West Longitude (Sec. 30, T027S, R034E, Copper River Meridian). The area encompasses 7,650.5 sq. miles of land and
1,808.8 sq. miles of water. Yakutat has a maritime climate characterized by relatively mild, often rainy weather.
Summer temperatures range from 42 to 60; winter temperatures, 17 to 39. Yakutat receives some of the heaviest precipitation
in the state, averaging 132 inches, including 219 inches of snowfall.
History, Culture and Demographics
Yakutat has a diverse cultural history. The original settlers are believed to have been Eyak-speaking people from
the Copper River area who were conquered by the Tlingits. Yakutat means "the place where the canoes rest."
In the 18th and 19th centuries, English, French, Spanish and Russian explorers came to the region. Fur traders
were attracted to the region's sea otters. The Russian-American Co. built a fort in Yakutat in 1805 to harvest
sea otter pelts. Because the Russians would not allow local Tlingits access to their traditional fisheries, a Tlingit
war party attacked and destroyed the post. In 1884, the Alaska Commercial Co. opened a store in Yakutat. By 1886,
the black sand beaches in the area were being mined for gold. In 1889 the Swedish Free Mission Church had opened
a school and sawmill in the area. A cannery, sawmill, store and railroad were constructed beginning in 1903 by
the Stimson Lumber Co. Most residents moved to the current site of Yakutat to be closer to this cannery, which
operated through 1970.
During World War II, a large aviation garrison and paved runway were constructed. Troops were withdrawn after the
war, but the runway is still in use. The City of Yakutat was formed in 1948, but in 1992, the City was dissolved
and a Borough was organized for the region.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe; Central Council Tlingit
& Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The population of the community consists of 46.8% Alaska Native or part Native.
The area maintains a traditional Tlingit culture with influences from the original Eyak Athabascans, as well as
Russian, English and American traders and miners. Fishing and subsistence activities are prevalent.
Economy and Transportation
Yakutat's economy is dependent on fishing, fish processing and government. 162 residents hold commercial fishing
permits. North Pacific Processors is the major private employer. Recreational fishing opportunities, both saltwater
and freshwater fishing in the Situk River, are world-class. Most residents depend on subsistence hunting and fishing.
Salmon, trout, shellfish, deer, moose, bear and goats are harvested.
There are scheduled jet flights, air taxis and float plane services to Yakutat. The State owns two jet-certified
runways. The airport is located 3 miles southeast. A seaplane base is available 1 mile northwest. The U.S. Forest
Service owns five airstrips in the vicinity, and the National Park Service operates one at East Alsek River. The
Borough operates the State-owned boat harbor and the Ocean Cape dock. Monti Bay is the only sheltered deep water
port in the Gulf of Alaska. Barges deliver goods monthly during the winter, and more frequently in summer. The
new State Ferry Kennicott began serving Yakutat in July 1998. However, severe seas in the Gulf of Alaska during
winter months restrict the ferry service to summers only.
Yakutat has recently risen up as the surfing capital of Alaska. Warm Pacific currents keep water temperatures in
the area mild, although wetsuits are still a must for most of the year
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