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Tongass Home » Districts & Offices » Petersburg
Ranger District
Welcome to Petersburg, Alaska
- Location - Petersburg is located in Southeast Alaska, on the
northwest tip of Mitkof Island. Petersburg lies halfway between
Juneau on the north and Ketchikan on the south, about 120 miles
from either community.
- Population - Petersburg had 3,387 residents as of December,
2000.
- Climate - Petersburg is known for its mild winters, cool summers,
and year-round precipitation. Average precipitation is 110 inches
per year, most of which is rain.
- Economy - Since the town was established, Petersburg's strongest
industries have been commercial fishing and timber. Petersburg
is one of the top-ranked ports in the United States for the quality
and value of fish landed. Several processors operate cold
storages, canneries, and custom packing services, employing more
than 1,100 people during the peak season. Petersburg is the primary
supplier of goods and services for many area logging camps. Tourism
is a growing industry, and several smaller cruise lines make
Petersburg a regular stop. Sportsmen and tourists utilize
the numerous local charter boats and lodges.
- Transportation - Petersburg is on Mitkof Island and is only
accessible by air or water. The Alaska Marine Highway System
serves Petersburg with northbound and southbound ferries. The
James A. Johnson Airport and Lloyd R. Roundtree Seaplane Base
accommodate jets, small planes, and float planes. Three boat
harbors are home to Petersburg's commercial fishing fleet as
well as pleasure and sport boats. Freight arrives by barge, ferry,
or cargo plane. There is no deep water dock for large ships.
When large cruise ships visit Petersburg, they ferry their passengers
to shore in smaller boats.
- History and Culture - Tlingít Indians used the north
end of Mitkof Island as a summer fish camp. In the late 1890s,
a Norwegian immigrant named Peter Buschmann arrived. He built
a homestead, cannery, sawmill, and dock. This site grew
into a community, populated mostly by people of Scandinavian
origin. In 1910, a city was established and named after its founder. By
1920, there were 600 year-round residents. The fishing industry
continued to grow, with different companies building and operating
canneries, cold storages, and processors. Petersburg has
developed into one of Alaska's major fishing communities. Petersburgs
culture remains a mixture of Alaska Native and Scandinavian heritage.
Also known as "Little Norway," Petersburg celebrates
its Scandinavian heritage with a festival each May.
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