Haines Alaska

Location and Climate
Haines is located on a narrow peninsula extending into Lynn Canal, between the Chilkoot and Chilkat Inlets, 80 air miles northwest of Juneau. It is just south of the Canadian border at British Columbia, 775 road miles from Anchorage. Haines is located in the Haines Recording District. The area encompasses 8 sq. miles of land and 7 sq. miles of water. Haines has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Average summer temperatures range from 46 to 66; winter temperatures average 17 to 36. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -16 to 90. Total precipitation averages 60 inches a year, with 133 inches of snow. 

History, Culture and Demographics
The Haines area was called "Dtehshuh" by the Chilkat Indians, meaning "end of the trail." It was a trading post for both the Chilkat and Interior Indians. The first non-Native to settle here was George Dickinson, an agent for the North West Trading Co., in 1880. In 1881, S. Young Hall, a Presbyterian minister, received permission from the Chilkat Indians to build the Willard mission and school. The mission was renamed Haines in 1884 in honor of Mrs. F.E. Haines, who chaired the National Committee that had raised funds for the mission's construction. Four canneries had been constructed in the area by the turn of the century. During the Klondike gold rush in the late 1890s, it grew as a mining supply center, since the Dalton Trail from Chilkat Inlet to Whitehorse offered an easier route to the Yukon for prospectors. Gold was also discovered 36 miles from Haines in 1899 at the Porcupine District. The first permanent U.S. military installation was constructed south of Haines in 1904, Fort William H. Seward. In 1922, the fort was renamed Chilkoot Barracks. Until World War II, it was the only U.S. Army post in Alaska. It was deactivated in 1946 and sold as surplus property to a group of veterans who established it as Port Chilkoot. In 1970, Port Chilkoot merged with Haines into one municipality. In 1972, the post was designated a national historic site and the name, Fort William Steward, was restored. Haines is also known for its famous strawberries; the Alaskan hybrid "Burbank," developed by Charles Anway, was a prize winner in Seattle in 1909. The annual strawberry festival developed into the Southeast Alaska State Fair, which draws thousands of visitors each year. The last of the early canneries closed in 1972 due to declining fish stocks. Expansion of the timber industry in the early 1970s fueled growth. The sawmills closed in 1976. Tourism is now an important source of income in the community.

18.1% of the population are Alaska Natives. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community. Historically Chilkat Indian territory, Haines is now predominantly a non-Native community. There are two Chilkat Indian Villages in the area, the Chilkoot, in Haines, and the Chilkat, in Klukwan. Haines is home to the world's largest congregation of bald eagles, who feed from the hot spring-fed rivers. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Reserve, located 18 miles from Haines, is a major attraction in Southeast Alaska.

During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 527 total housing units, and 51 of these were vacant. 647 jobs were estimated to be in the community. The official unemployment rate at that time was 5.4%. 30.9% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $38,542, and 4.9% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Economy and Transportation
Forestry, commercial fishing, tourism, and transportation are the primary employers. 132 area residents hold commercial fishing permits. Tourism businesses, crafts, and the traffic Haines draws as a result of its road connection to the State Ferry have become increasingly important. Over 150,000 cruise ship passengers are expected to visit Haines during 1998, a 50% increase over 1997, and an additional 100,000 independent travelers will arrive via car, ferry or air.

Haines is a major trans-shipment point because of its ice-free, deep water port and dock, and year-round road access to Canada and Interior Alaska on the Haines and Alaska Highways. It is a northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) System, a cruise ship port-of-call, and a hub for transportation to and from southeast Alaska. Haines has a State-owned 4,600' paved runway, with daily scheduled flights to Juneau by small aircraft. There is also a State-owned seaplane base, two small boat harbors with a total of 190 moorage slips, a State Ferry terminal, and a cruise ship dock.


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Source: Department of Community & Economic Development