In 1880, the U.S. Navy reported the name of the village as “Chilcat of Klukquan,” which is said to mean “the old town.” The Chilkat tightly controlled the trails of trade with Interior Indians. At that time, the Chilkat numbered approximately 1,000 among five area villages. In 1881, the Willard Mission and School was constructed in Haines. Four canneries were built in the area by the turn of the century. In the late 1890s, the Dalton Trail from Chilkat Inlet to Whitehorse offered an easier route for wagons and cattle to the Klondike gold fields. However, the Chilkoot Trail out of Skagway was used by most prospectors. By the early 1900s, Klukwan was the last remaining Chilkat village in the area.
Klukwan is a traditional Tlingit village, well known for its Chilkat blankets and dance robes woven from mountain goat hair and cedar bark. Fishing, logging and subsistence activities support the community. The area hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world, at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Reserve. Klukwan also has a Jilkaat Cultural Heritage Center containing artifacts stored and displayed, an arts and crafts studio, and a replica tribal house, as well as cultural tours that present information describing traditional ways of life. Residents utilize subsistence salmon and eulachon from the Chilkat River.
Location & Climate: Klukwan is located on the north bank of the Chilkat River, about 22 miles north of Haines, off the Haines Highway. It lies at the junction of the Kleheni and Tsirku Rivers, 100 miles northeast of Juneau. It is the only inland settlement in Southeast Alaska. It lies at approximately 59.399600 North Latitude and -135.893310 West Longitude. (Sec. 33, T028S, R056E, Copper River Meridian.) Klukwan is located in the Haines Recording District. Klukwan has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Average summer temperatures range from 42 to 66 °F; winter temperatures average from 4 to 31 °F. They receive much less precipitation than is typical of Southeast Alaska. Total precipitation averages 23 inches a year, with 104 inches of snow. *State of AK, DOT AMHS.
2010 Population: 95 (US Census)
Government: Klukwan is an unincorporated community and has no city or borough officials or offices.
Electric Utility: Inside Passage Electric Cooperative (IPEC). Kilowatt capacity: 1,165kWh. In November of 2010 the small commercial rate for 1,500kWh/month was $0.5680 and $0.5090 for above 500 kWh with a monthly fee of $15.00. (JEDC Asset Mapping Report)
Water & Sewer Utilities: Water is derived from a groundwater infiltration gallery and is stored in a 126,000 gal tank operated by the village council. Approximately 90% of homes are connected to the piped water and sewer system and are fully plumbed.
Solid Waste: Village Council owns and operates refuse collection and landfill. A recycling center is also maintained.
Transportation Facilities: Klukwan is accessible from the Haines Highway, which is connected to the Alcan Highway through Canada. The community is dependent on the transportation infrastructure of Haines for goods, services, and travel.
Transportation Services: Accessible by road to nearby Haines.
Schools: Klukwan School is within the Chatham School District and offers Kindergarten through 12the grade. Enrollment in the 2010-11 school year was 14. Student teacher ratio was 11.7:1.
Health Care: Klukwan Health Center is operated by SEARHC and owned by the village council. This facility is a Community Health Aid Program CHAP site. Emergency Services have highway, marine, and helicopter access, and are within 30 minutes of a satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by a health aide.
Federally Recognized Tribe: Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan. www.chilkat-nsn.gov
Village Corporation: Klukwan Incorporated.
Other Community Buildings: ANS Hall/Village Council, Chilkat Museum, Jikaat Cultural Heritage Center, Replica tribal house, Arts and crafts studio.
