Southcentral Community: Talkeetna
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Talkeetna is a colorful and interesting town about 14 miles off the Parks Highway. With breathtaking views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range, Talkeetna looks out over a broad valley where the Susitna, Talkeetna and Chulitna rivers meet.
Gold brought miners to the Susitna River in 1896 and by 1901 Talkeetna was a miner's supply center and eventually a riverboat station. In 1915, it became the headquarters for building the railroad north. Today, Talkeetna draws anglers, adventurers, recreation seekers and climbers, who use the town as a staging area for ascents of Mt. McKinley.
Talkeetna retains much of its early Alaskan flavor with its narrow dirt roads that are lined by log cabins and clapboard buildings and houses. Main Street, the only paved road in town, begins with a "Welcome to Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna' sign at the town park and ends at the banks of the Susitna River.
A block south of Main Street is the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum, a small complex that consists of four restored buildings. In the town's 1935 schoolhouse is an exhibit devoted to Don Sheldon, the bush pilot who pioneered landing climbers high on Mt. McKinley's glaciers for a better shot at the peak, along with trapping and mining artifacts. There is also a fully furnished trapper's cabin and a train depot.
The most fascinating building by far is the Section House. Inside you find a 12-foot by 12-foot relief model of Mt. McKinley and its climbing routes surround by Bradford Washburn's famous mural-like photos of the mountain. The history of climbing and an exhibit devoted to the town's most famous climber, Ray 'the Pirate' Genet, is also on display.
You can pick up a map at the museum of the town's historical walking tour. The walk weaves through Talkeetna, past 16 historical buildings, each featuring a plaque relating the history and stories behind the structure.
The Mountaineering Ranger Station on Main Street handles the numerous expeditions to Mt. McKinley during the summer. It features a small display and a video program for those thinking of scaling the peak. You can watch the climbers come and go at the airport in small aircraft using wheel-ski planes, flying climbers to and from the 7,000-foot level.
To appreciate the effect of the mountain on this town and understand the tie between the community and the climbers, visit the Talkeetna Cemetery, just across from the airport. The most impressive grave is Sheldon's with the mounted ice axe. There is also a Mt. McKinley Climber's Memorial, including a stone for Genet, despite the fact that his body was never removed from the slope of Mt. Everest. The most touching sight is a simple bulletin board that lists the names and ages of all the climbers who have died on the mountain over the years.
The privately owned Museum of the Northern Adventure consists of 24 large dioramas of historical events on two floors. The other is B&K Trading Post, Talkeetna's historical general store.
Fairview Inn, not an official museum, is well worth stopping by. Built in 1923 to serve as the overnight stop from Seward to Fairbanks on the railroad, it was passed over for Anchorage. The hotel survived and today is listed on the National Register. The bar on the 1st floor is classic Alaska while the walls are filled with memorabilia. There's Deadman's Wall, covered with pictures of those who have fallen victim to the mountain, Talkeetna's only slot machine, a corner devoted to President Harding and other assorted items.
With Mt. McKinley the backyard of the town, scenic flights have become a staple for the handful of air charter operators in Talkeetna. Scenic flights of the mountain and the Alaska Range are awe-inspiring to say the least and many offer glacier landings as well. At times, you might even catch a glimpse of climbing parties en route to the summit.
Riverboat and jetboat tours up Talkeetna Canyon, Devils Canyon, Chulitna River and Tokositna River are popular. Several guides offer riverboat fishing trips and commercial float trips and raft tours provide another popular way of exploring the roadless wilderness. Sighting wildlife along the way is common, including views of bald eagles, beaver, moose and black bear. Fishing is excellent. Horseback excursions are also available and range from 2 to 8 hour treks on seasoned trails with majestic views of Mount McKinley. Overnight pack trips are also an option. Sled dog rides and tours are also popular.
Talkeetna boasts the last regular flag-stop run in the nation. The Alaska Railroad's flag-stop train between Talkeetna and Hurricane makes an interesting trip. Used by people who live in the Bush, as well as hikers and anglers, the train starts and stops for anyone wanting a ride into town or to be dropped off somewhere in the wilderness along the way.
The three-day Moose Dropping Festival is held on the second weekend of July with the usual parade, live entertainment and beer tent. Not so usual events include the Mountain Mother Contest and the Moose Dropping Throw Contest. The town swells by about 5,000 for this event. The other noted event is the Talkeetna Blue Grass Festival held in early August. The four-day event has grown so large it was moved to 142 acres of forested land at Mile 102 of the Parks Highway.
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Photo By: Frank Flavin
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A man poses with a sign in "Downtown Talkeetna"
Population: 873
Location: Talkeetna is located at the junction of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, 115 miles north of Anchorage. The paved Talkeetna Spur Road runs 14 miles east off the Parks Highway junction at Milepost 98.7.
Access: By road off the Parks Highway, at the end of the 14-mile Talkeetna Spur Road, Alaska Railroad daily passenger service on Anchorage-Denali Park-Fairbanks route, railroad flag-stop service between Talkeetna and Hurricane, air taxi services, charter service, flightseeing and glacier landing.
Accommodations: 5 hotels/motels, one hostel, several bed and breakfasts, 5 lodges/cabins/chalets, other accommodations in outlying areas, 9 restaurants/cafes, all services.