Gulkana, Alaska, sits on the east bank of the Gulkana (Kulkana) River at its confluence with the Copper River, 14 miles north of Glennallen.
Gulkana is primarily an Alaska Native community (74 percent of the population of about 90), where residents depend somewhat on subsistence hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering.
There are no businesses in the village; employment is limited to the village council and seasonal construction. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve provides some federal employment.
The sale, importation and possession of alcohol are prohibited.
During the April 2000 U.S. Census, there were 43 housing units, 10 of them vacant, with four of these vacant units used seasonally. Water is derived from a well, treated and stored in a 100,000-gallon tank. Due to iron and magnesium levels, a new infiltration gallery on the Gulkana River and water treatment improvements are under construction. A piped water and sewer system serves most homes.
History
The Ahtna people have occupied this area for 5,000 to 7,000 years.
Gulkana was originally established in 1903 as a telegraph station and was named Kulkana after the river. The Gulkana Roadhouse was built in the early 1900s by C.L. Hoyt, a fur dealer who ran the roadhouse until 1916. A store, post office and stage station were located nearby.
Gulkana was originally located across the river from its present site; it was cut in half during construction of the Richardson Highway during World War II.
In the early 1950s, the first house was built at the new site. Chief Ewan and his family were the first Native residents, and eventually all of the villagers relocated.
Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
