Craig, Alaska Geography, Economy and Politics

By | April 12, 2023

Craig, Alaska is located in Prince of Wales Island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska. The town is situated on the northern end of the island and is surrounded by mountains, forests, and bays. Craig has a total area of approximately 6 square miles and its elevation ranges from sea level to 1,200 feet.

The terrain around Craig is mostly hilly with dense forests covering much of the area. According to topschoolsintheusa, the climate in Craig is temperate due to its coastal location and there are ample amounts of rainfall throughout the year. Summers are fairly mild with temperatures rarely exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit while winters can be quite cold with temperatures reaching as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Craig has a population of about 1,000 people who mostly work in fishing, logging, and tourism industries. The town’s economy largely depends on these industries for employment opportunities as well as revenue for local businesses. Additionally, Craig boasts a number of attractions such as whale watching tours, fishing charters, hiking trails and beaches where visitors can explore the natural beauty that surrounds them.

Craig is also home to several parks such as Point Louisa National Wildlife Reserve which offers visitors an opportunity to observe various species such as bald eagles and sea otters up close. There are also two state parks nearby which offer camping spots along with other recreational activities like boating and kayaking on nearby lakes or rivers.

Overall, Craig is a small town situated in a beautiful environment overlooking Prince of Wales Island’s rugged landscape. It offers visitors plenty of outdoor activities amidst stunning natural scenery that will stay with them for years to come!

Craig, Alaska

History of Craig, Alaska

Craig, Alaska is a small town located on the northern end of Prince of Wales Island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Tlingit people and archaeological evidence suggests that they were the first to settle in Craig.

In 1793, Captain George Vancouver became the first European to explore the area and he named it after his friend, Captain Henry Roberts. In 1867, when Alaska was purchased from Russia by the United States, Craig became part of Ketchikan District.

The town’s modern history began in 1901 when a salmon cannery was built at Craig Cove and it quickly became an important hub for fishing and logging industries. This led to an influx of settlers who established businesses such as stores and hotels in the area.

The population of Craig grew steadily over the years but it wasn’t until after World War II that it really began to boom as more people moved to town looking for employment opportunities. By 1950, there were about 600 residents living in Craig and its population eventually peaked at around 1,500 people in 1970.

Today, Craig is still a quiet fishing community with a population hovering around 1,000 people. It remains heavily dependent on fishing and logging industries for its economic livelihood but tourism has also become increasingly important in recent years with visitors coming from all over to experience its natural beauty.

Craig has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a salmon cannery back in 1901 and today it is considered one of the most picturesque towns on Prince of Wales Island with plenty of outdoor activities that attract visitors from all over!

Economy of Craig, Alaska

Craig, Alaska is a small town located on the northern end of Prince of Wales Island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska. The town has a population of around 1,000 people and has long been heavily dependent on fishing and logging industries for its economic livelihood.

Fishing has been an important part of Craig’s economy since its founding in 1901 when a salmon cannery was built at Craig Cove. Today, the commercial fishing industry remains one of the main sources of employment in Craig and is responsible for providing jobs to many local residents. The town also serves as an important hub for other nearby fishing communities as boats regularly come to Craig to unload their catch and purchase supplies.

Logging has always been another major source of income for Craig and it continues to be an important part of the local economy today. There are several sawmills located in town that provide employment opportunities as well as raw materials for local businesses. The timber harvested from nearby forests is also used to manufacture various products such as furniture, paper products, and building materials which are then sold around the world.

In recent years, tourism has become increasingly important to Craig’s economy with visitors coming from all over to experience its stunning natural scenery and outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, hunting, kayaking, and whale watching. Tourism provides employment opportunities through restaurants, hotels, tours companies, charter boat services, retail stores, etc., while also generating revenue through taxes which helps fund essential services such as schools and public works projects.

Overall, the economy of Craig remains heavily reliant on fishing and logging but tourism has provided a much needed boost in recent years that is helping keep this small Alaskan community afloat!

Politics in Craig, Alaska

Craig, Alaska is located in the City and Borough of Prince of Wales-Hyder and is governed by the Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor is elected to a four year term and serves as the chief executive, while members of the City Council are elected to two year terms and serve as legislative representatives.

The main focus of the City Council is to ensure that all citizens are represented fairly when making decisions about local services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and economic development. The City Council also works with the Mayor to develop a budget each year, which must be approved by a majority vote before it can be put into effect.

The Mayor has several powers that allow him or her to influence local politics. He or she has the authority to appoint members to various boards and commissions such as the Planning Commission and Parks & Recreation Board, can veto any legislation passed by the City Council with a two-thirds majority vote, and can call for special elections if needed.

In addition to these roles, Craig also elects delegates who represent its interests in both state and federal government. These delegates work closely with state legislators on issues such as taxation rates, fishing regulations, health care reform bills, etc., while also advocating for Craig’s needs at the federal level.

Overall, politics in Craig are largely focused on ensuring that all citizens are represented fairly when it comes to important decisions about local services while also advocating for Craig’s needs on both state and federal levels.