Pelican Alaska

Location and Climate
Pelican is located on the northwest coast of Chichagof Island on Lisianski Inlet. It lies 70 air miles north of Sitka and 70 miles west of Juneau. Most of the community is built on pilings over the tidelands. Pelican is located in the Sitka Recording District. The area encompasses .5 sq. miles of land and .1 sq. miles of water. Pelican has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Average summer temperatures range from 51 to 62; winter temperatures average 21 to 39. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -3 to 84. Annual precipitation is 127 inches, including 120 inches of snow. During winter months, fog, winds and high seas can limit access.

History, Culture and Demographics
A cold storage plant was the first development at this site in 1938. Kalle (Charley) Raataikainen bought fish in this area, which he transported to Sitka. He chose this protected inlet as an ideal cold storage site, and named the place after his fish-packing vessel "The Pelican." Two of his fish-buying scows were used as a cookhouse, mess hall, bunkhouse and warehouse, and the community of Pelican grew around this operation. A store, office, sawmill, post office and sauna had been erected by 1939. A school and cannery were developed in the 1940s. A boardwalk serves as the town's main thoroughfare, due to the lack of flat land.

Alaska Natives represent 29.3% of the population. Pelican is a fishing community. There is a seasonal population influx of commercial fishermen and cold storage plant workers.

During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 98 total housing units, and 17 of these were vacant. The official unemployment rate at that time was 3.4%, with 140 jobs estimated to be in the community and 17.2% of all adults not in the work force. The median household income was $27,083, and 13.6% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Economy and Transportation
Commercial fishing and seafood processing are the mainstays of Pelican's economy. 42 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Most employment occurs at Pelican Seafoods, which also owns the electric utility, a fuel company and store. In April 1989, Pelican Seafoods was purchased by Kaioh Suisan, a Japanese firm. In February 1996, the plant was closed. It was subsequently purchased by Kake Tribal Corp. and re-opened during the summer of 1996, employing over 60 persons during the peak season. The plant processes salmon, halibut, sable fish, rockfish, and dungeness crab.

Pelican is dependent on float planes and the State Ferry for travel. Daily scheduled air taxi services are available from Juneau and Sitka. Facilities include a State-owned seaplane base, a small boat harbor, dock, and State ferry terminal. The ferry provides two monthly departures during summer months, and once monthly during winter. Cargo barges deliver goods on a similar schedule.


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Source: Department of Community & Economic Development