Wrangell Island
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wrangell Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago in the Alaska Panhandle of southeastern Alaska. The island is 48 km (30 miles) long and 8–23 km (3–14 miles) wide. It has a land area of 544.03 km² (210.05 sq mi). It is separated from the mainland by a narrow strip of water which is known as the Blake Channel.
This island was occupied in 1834 by Russians. It is named after Ferdinand Wrangell, a Russian explorer and government official. From 1867 to 1877 Wrangell Island was a U.S. military post; later it became an outfitting point for hunters and explorers as well as for miners using the Stikine River route to the Yukon.
The island contains the city of Wrangell, Alaska. Wrangell Island is heavily forested and contains an abundance of wildlife. The only other community is Thoms Place on the island's southwest side, across the Zimovia Strait from Etolin Island. Wrangell Island's total population was 2,401 at the 2000 census.
Fishing and mining are pursued in the area. Lumber mill closed in 1990s. The island and surrounding areas also contain many recreational areas. The island is located at the mouth of the Stikine River, which provides many of the recreational opportunites in the area.
[edit] References
- Wrangell Island: 1002 thru 1017, Block Group 1; Block Groups 2 thru 4; Census Tract 3, Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area, Alaska United States Census Bureau
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Wyatt Earp eas Wrangell's Town Marshall for 10 days in the late 1800's on his way to the gold fields. Visit the museum in Wrangell for the exact dates.
