Southcentral Community: Chitina
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Chitina lies in a colorful valley, surrounded by mountains and serves as a gateway community into beautiful Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The Copper River is just around the bend and in the quiet of night you can hear the rush of the water. Wildlife is abundant and moose casually wander around town. Squirrels, otters and mountain sheep frequent the area. For bird watchers, look for eagles, swans, jays and the busy chickadee, just a few of the featured residents in the area. View the fish wheels working the river for salmon, or fish the local lakes for trout or grayling.
The town itself is steeped in history. Chitina was established at the turn of the century as a railroad town for the Copper River and Northwestern Railway. The famous railway carried copper from the Kennicott Mine in McCarthy to Cordova, 138 miles away. Chitina was soon established as the transportation link to interior Alaska. The early railroad town was a bustling community supporting five hotels, a general store, a bakery and even a movie theater. At the close of the Kennicott Mine in 1938, Chitina was all but abandoned and close to becoming a ghost town.
Today Chitina is being revitalized and many of the historical buildings are being restored. The town offers accommodations, groceries, gas, eateries, fishing charters, lodging, church services and other amenities, all well within walking distance. If you travel on to McCarthy, it is a long 60 miles from Chitina on a gravel road. Plan to take at least three hours for the drive. Shuttle and air taxi services to the park are also available.
Details
Photo By: Clark Mishler
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A man and dog sitting in front of a store in Chitina
Population: 110
Location: Chitina is located on the west bank of the Copper River at its confluence with the Chitina River, at mile 34 of the Edgerton Highway, 52 miles southeast of Copper Center. It lies outside the western boundary of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, 66 miles southeast of Glennallen.
Access: By road via the Edgerton Highway off the Richardson Highway, air taxi.
Accommodations: Chitina hosts a convenience store, cafe, gift shops, water, dipnet permits, hotel, camping, telephone, airport, saloon, liquor store, tire repair and the last gas station and restrooms for the next 60 miles.