Page Contents for Central, Alaska

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Economy

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Alaska state capital is Juneau.
The population of Central is approximately 52 (1990), 96 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 53 (2010).
The amount of land area in Central is 140.803 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Central to Washington DC is 3448 miles.
The distance to the Alaska state capital is 618 miles. (as the crow flies)
Central is positioned 65.55 degrees north of the equator and 144.85 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Central average annual precipitation is 6.5 inches peryear.
Central average annual snowfall is 43.4 inches per year.

Location

in eastern Alaska, about 125 miles northeast of Fairbanks and 28 miles southwest of Circle. It is on the Steese Highway.
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Climate

continental subarctic with long, cold winters and short warm summers. Winter lows are commonly -50 to -60 with extremes as low as -71. Summer highs tend to be from 65 to 72 degrees.
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History & History Related Items

When the Gold Rush of the 1890s brought many miners and others to the area, a roadhouse was needed between Circle and the mining areas at Mammoth, Mastodon and Birch Creeks. The Central House was built about 1894 and became the center for many miners, some of whom settled there. They provided food and services to other miners who would come by. A wagon road began to replace the trail in 1906. It reached the area by 1908. A road to Fairbanks wasn't completed until 1927. It was named the Steese Highway for General James Steese, a former president of the Road Commission. AFter World War II, mining did not prosper but declined for many years. When the price of gold increased in the mid 1970s, more mining was done in the area.
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Attractions

Central is a non-native community and provides many services to local mines.

Because of the Steese Highway, Central enjoys year-round access. Supplies are delivered for a less costly price and are available on a regular basis durnig the winter.
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Economy & Industry

cash that provides for seasonal support for the mines in the area. Summer visitors are also a major part of the local economy. Some residents live here only in the summer season. Those who live here year-round use subsistence and also recreational activities to provide for their livelihood.
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Central

Miscellany

The population of Central was:
1990 - 52
2000 - 120