Talkeetna, Alaska#Legislative representation

File:Talkeetna June 2015.JPG

Talkeetna is located at the confluence of three rivers, the Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna. Talkeetna began in 1916 when the area was chosen as a district headquarters for the Alaska Railroad. A post office opened as well as a sawmill, trading post, cigar and donkey store and other businesses as well as many cabins. In 1917, the residents encouraged the government to survey the lots on which their homes stood. In 1919, the railroad surveyed and auctioned eighty lots, 41 of which already had permanent structures on them. The average price at the sale was $14.25.{{cite web |title=Talkeetna history |url=http://talkeetnachamber.org/history.html |publisher=Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-date=May 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512151038/http://www.talkeetnachamber.org/history.html |url-status=live }}

Flightseeing, rafting, mountain biking, homestead tours, hiking, camping, fishing and hunting make up a large portion of the local economy. Talkeetna is a 2½-hour drive from Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. The core downtown area (Talkeetna Historic District) is on the register of National Historic Places, with buildings dating from the early 1900s including Nagley's General Store,{{cite web |url=http://www.nagleysstore.com/history.html |title=Nagley's Store history |access-date=June 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617073338/http://www.nagleysstore.com/history.html |archive-date=June 17, 2009}} Fairview Inn and the Talkeetna Roadhouse.{{cite web |url=http://www.talkeetnaroadhouse.com/history.html |title=Talkeetna Roadhouse history |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-date=December 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121222092647/http://www.talkeetnaroadhouse.com/history.html |url-status=live }}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of {{convert|42.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|41.6|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|1.4|sqmi|km2}} of it (3.19%) is water.

{{clear left}}

File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Talkeetna Area, AK(ThreadEx).svg

The climate is continental subarctic (Köppen: Dfc), assuming some characteristics like warm-summer but the shorter duration of the hot season and long winters give the town boreal features and in terms of vegetation is composed of taiga (Cook Inlet Basin{{cite web |url=https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/lands/ecosystems/images/ecoregions_lg.png |title=Ecorregions of the Alaska |last=Feirer |first=Shane T. |date=August 2004 |website=Alaska Department of Fish and Game |publisher=The Nature Conservancy in Alaska |access-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502035251/http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/lands/ecosystems/images/ecoregions_lg.png |url-status=live }}), different from the southcentral coastal more diversified.{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=15207&cityname=Talkeetna,+Alaska,+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Talkeetna, Alaska Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase) |website=Weatherbase |access-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011061110/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=15207&cityname=Talkeetna,+Alaska,+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_0sbbGO69gC&q=TALKEETNA+taiga+forest&pg=PA208 |title=The Alaska Almanac: Facts about Alaska |last=Gates |first=Nancy |date=November 2006 |publisher=Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co. |isbn=9780882406527}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yh8xAQAAMAAJ&q=talkeetna+vegetation+taiga+forest&pg=SA3-PA80 |title=Ring of Fire, Resource Management Plan: Environmental Impact Statement |date=2006}} Even though the cold, dry air comes from the north, the moisture acquired comes from the Gulf of Alaska.{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/aps-v5-i1-c2.htm |title=An Ecological Overview of Denali National Park and Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) |website=www.nps.gov |access-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043735/https://www.nps.gov/articles/aps-v5-i1-c2.htm |url-status=live }} That is, summers are between a short duration and an average duration. It is lighter than Yellowknife, Canada at similar latitudes due to the moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean and the adiabatic warming of the descending air from the surrounding mountains. The average annual temperature is 0.8 °C, the average precipitation is not as high but relatively well distributed during the year, about 686 mm on average.{{cite web |url=https://en.climate-data.org/location/871476/ |title=Climate Talkeetna: Temperature, Climograph, Climate table for Talkeetna - Climate-Data.org |website=en.climate-data.org |access-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727212254/https://en.climate-data.org/location/871476/ |url-status=live }}{{Weather box

|location = Talkeetna Airport, Alaska (1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e., the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1918–present)

| width = auto

|single line = Y

|collapsed = Y

|Jan record high F = 47

|Feb record high F = 52

|Mar record high F = 55

|Apr record high F = 77

|May record high F = 87

|Jun record high F = 96

|Jul record high F = 93

|Aug record high F = 89

|Sep record high F = 78

|Oct record high F = 68

|Nov record high F = 52

|Dec record high F = 49

|Jan avg record high F = 39.4

|Feb avg record high F = 41.9

|Mar avg record high F = 48.5

|Apr avg record high F = 58.6

|May avg record high F = 74.4

|Jun avg record high F = 81.5

|Jul avg record high F = 81.6

|Aug avg record high F = 77.3

|Sep avg record high F = 67.5

|Oct avg record high F = 55.9

|Nov avg record high F = 41.6

|Dec avg record high F = 39.6

|year avg record high F= 84.3

|Jan high F = 21.8

|Feb high F = 28.2

|Mar high F = 34.6

|Apr high F = 46.6

|May high F = 58.7

|Jun high F = 67.1

|Jul high F = 68.7

|Aug high F = 65.1

|Sep high F = 56.0

|Oct high F = 41.8

|Nov high F = 27.9

|Dec high F = 23.4

|year high F = 45.0

|Jan mean F = 13.6

|Feb mean F = 18.8

|Mar mean F = 23.5

|Apr mean F = 36.2

|May mean F = 47.7

|Jun mean F = 57.0

|Jul mean F = 60.1

|Aug mean F = 56.5

|Sep mean F = 47.5

|Oct mean F = 34.2

|Nov mean F = 20.6

|Dec mean F = 15.6

|year mean F = 35.9

|Jan low F = 5.4

|Feb low F = 9.4

|Mar low F = 12.4

|Apr low F = 25.8

|May low F = 36.7

|Jun low F = 47.0

|Jul low F = 51.4

|Aug low F = 47.9

|Sep low F = 39.0

|Oct low F = 26.5

|Nov low F = 13.2

|Dec low F = 7.8

|year low F = 26.9

|Jan avg record low F = -23.7

|Feb avg record low F = -17.1

|Mar avg record low F = -11.7

|Apr avg record low F = 8.9

|May avg record low F = 26.7

|Jun avg record low F = 37.0

|Jul avg record low F = 43.3

|Aug avg record low F = 37.1

|Sep avg record low F = 26.0

|Oct avg record low F = 8.9

|Nov avg record low F = -9.9

|Dec avg record low F = -19.1

|year avg record low F = -28.2

|Jan record low F = −48

|Feb record low F = −46

|Mar record low F = −43

|Apr record low F = −37

|May record low F = 8

|Jun record low F = 24

|Jul record low F = 26

|Aug record low F = 25

|Sep record low F = 11

|Oct record low F = −21

|Nov record low F = −41

|Dec record low F = −53

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.34

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.24

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.08

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.32

|May precipitation inch = 1.56

|Jun precipitation inch = 1.71

|Jul precipitation inch = 2.87

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.70

|Sep precipitation inch = 4.48

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.78

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.77

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.66

|year precipitation inch = 26.51

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.7

|Oct snow inch = 13.3

|Nov snow inch = 23.3

|Dec snow inch = 31.7

|Jan snow inch = 22.3

|Feb snow inch = 22.1

|Mar snow inch = 15.0

|Apr snow inch = 7.7

|May snow inch = 1.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|year snow inch = 137.1

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch

|Jan precipitation days = 9.4

|Feb precipitation days = 9.1

|Mar precipitation days = 8.1

|Apr precipitation days = 8.2

|May precipitation days = 11.0

|Jun precipitation days = 12.4

|Jul precipitation days = 14.5

|Aug precipitation days = 16.8

|Sep precipitation days = 16.4

|Oct precipitation days = 12.5

|Nov precipitation days = 9.9

|Dec precipitation days = 11.3

|year precipitation days = 139.6

|unit snow days = 0.1 inch

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.5

|Oct snow days = 5.6

|Nov snow days = 11.6

|Dec snow days = 13.0

|Jan snow days = 10.3

|Feb snow days = 9.5

|Mar snow days = 8.0

|Apr snow days = 3.8

|May snow days = 0.5

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|year snow days = 62.8

|humidity colour = green

|Jan humidity = 72.2

|Feb humidity = 72.6

|Mar humidity = 70.2

|Apr humidity = 69.6

|May humidity = 66.8

|Jun humidity = 71.0

|Jul humidity = 75.9

|Aug humidity = 79.6

|Sep humidity = 81.2

|Oct humidity = 80.9

|Nov humidity = 76.1

|Dec humidity = 73.0

|year humidity = 74.1

|Jan dew point C = -14.9

|Feb dew point C = -12.3

|Mar dew point C = -9.6

|Apr dew point C = -4.4

|May dew point C = 0.7

|Jun dew point C = 6.7

|Jul dew point C = 10.1

|Aug dew point C = 8.8

|Sep dew point C = 4.3

|Oct dew point C = -2.8

|Nov dew point C = -11.4

|Dec dew point C = -15.6

|source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961-1990, average snowfall/snow days 1981–2010){{cite web

|url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=afc

|title=NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher=noaa

|access-date=March 15, 2018

|archive-date=February 16, 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216223447/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=afc

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00026528&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1991–2020)

|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date=September 11, 2022

|archive-date=September 11, 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911234504/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00026528&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USW00026528&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1981–2010)

|access-date = September 11, 2022

|archive-date = September 11, 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220911234504/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USW00026528&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|url-status = live

}}{{cite web

|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP1/70251.TXT

|title = WMO Climate Normals for TALKEETNA, AK 1961–1990

|access-date = September 3, 2020

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230903234404/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP1/70251.TXT

|archive-date = 2023-09-03

|url-status = dead

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

}}

}}

;Notes:

{{notelist}}

{{US Census population

|1920= 70

|1930= 89

|1940= 136

|1950= 106

|1960= 76

|1970= 182

|1980= 264

|1990= 250

|2000= 772

|2010= 876

|2020= 1055

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |accessdate=June 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919115202/https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |url-status=live }}

}}

Talkeetna originally appeared on the U.S. Census as a discreet village in 1920. Its population was included by the Census Bureau within the much-larger census-designated place (CDP) after 1990.

The 2020 population of the entire CDP (not just the village proper) was 1,055. As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }} of 2000, there were 772 people, 358 households, and 181 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|18.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 528 housing units at an average density of {{convert|12.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.95% White, 3.76% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 1.30% from African American, and 6.87% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 358 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.4% were non-families. Thirty-eight percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,289, and the median income for a family was $46,818. Males had a median income of $34,732 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,695. About 7.2% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

File:Nagley's Store, Talkeetna, AK.jpg.]]

File:Fairview Inn, Talkeetna, AK.jpg, built in 1923]]

Talkeetna is the base for expeditions to Denali.{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/alaska-rescue-helicopter-crash-kills-three-onboard-035333829.html |title=Alaska rescue helicopter crash kills all three onboard - Yahoo! News |access-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403130414/http://news.yahoo.com/alaska-rescue-helicopter-crash-kills-three-onboard-035333829.html |archive-date=April 3, 2013}} The Denali National Park's Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station is located in Talkeetna. Tourists travel to Talkeetna each summer to fish salmon, raft and go flightseeing.{{cite news |url=http://www.alaska.com/denali/story/2431.html |title=Denali Flightseeing |newspaper=The Anchorage Daily News |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-date=June 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617193356/http://www.alaska.com/denali/story/2431.html |url-status=live }} Products by local artists, musicians and craftspeople are available in area stores.{{cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Mark |date=June 22, 2020 |title=Quirky Alaska town struggles for survival amid coronavirus tourism fallout |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2020/06/22/travel-fallout-alaska-town-struggles-survive-without-tourists/3239076001/ |access-date=June 23, 2020 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623113410/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2020/06/22/travel-fallout-alaska-town-struggles-survive-without-tourists/3239076001/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Susitna Hydroelectric Project}}

The Susitna Dam is a proposed hydroelectricity plan from the State of Alaska. On July 25, 2011, the Governor of Alaska signed a bill to construct the dam on the glacier-fed Susitna River.{{cite web |url=http://www.tkacouncil.org/susitna-watana-dam-project |title=Susitna-Watana Dam Project |publisher=Talkeetna Community Council, Inc. |date=September 7, 2011 |access-date=June 22, 2013 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105214829/http://www.tkacouncil.org/susitna-watana-dam-project |url-status=live }} The dam, if built to its full design height, would become the fifth-tallest of the nearly 850,000 dams on Earth. The Susitna River, America's 15th-largest by volume, flows unimpeded for {{convert|300|mi|km}} from glacial mountains through one of the planet's last wild landscapes to meet the Pacific near Anchorage.

Soon after the dam's construction was announced, the Coalition for Susitna Dam Alternatives was formed to fight its construction. It is their argument that recreation, nature and the town would be severely threatened by the dam, and have compared it to the Three Gorges Dam in China.

File:Talkeetna Roadhouse Alaska AK inn bakery and restaurant.jpg, made of log construction in 1917, features an inn, bakery, and restaurant.]]

Every March, the Oosik Classic Ski Race is organized by the Denali Nordic Ski Club. Distances are approximate and trail conditions are variable.

The Moose Dropping Festival, a two-day celebration held each July to raise funds for the Talkeetna Historical Society, came to an end with the announcement on August 21, 2009, by the organization that the festival had been canceled.{{cite web |url=http://www.talkeetnahistoricalsociety.org/moose-dropping-festival.php |title=Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival |publisher=Talkeetna Historical Society |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-date=July 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701203535/http://www.talkeetnahistoricalsociety.org/moose-dropping-festival.php |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Yack |first=Patrick |date=August 25, 2009 |title=Moose Dropping Festival Dropped |url=https://alaskapublic.org/2009/08/25/moose-dropping-festival-dropped/ |access-date=June 25, 2023 |website=Alaska Public Media |language=en-US}} The 2009 event had drawn record crowds, resulting in multiple arrests and injuries, including one death.{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Megan |first2=Kyle |last2=Hopkins |date=July 13, 2009 |title=Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival turns to mayhem (7/13/09) |url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/talkeetna-moose-dropping-festival-turns-mayhem-71309/2009/07/13/ |access-date=June 25, 2023 |website=Anchorage Daily News |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201022324/https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/talkeetna-moose-dropping-festival-turns-mayhem-71309/2009/07/13/ |url-status=live }} The event was named after a lottery in which participants bet on numbered, varnished pieces of moose feces, or "moose droppings" dropped from a helicopter onto a target.

In December, the Wilderness Woman and Bachelor Auction & Ball takes place.{{cite web |url=http://www.bachelorsoftalkeetna.org/the-event.html |title=Talkeetna Bachelors are back on the market |publisher=Talkeetna Bachelor Society |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515220624/http://www.bachelorsoftalkeetna.org/the-event.html |url-status=live }} Talkeetna's biggest annual winter celebration, known as Winterfest, takes place throughout the entire month of December.

Talkeetna's largest celebration of the winter, called Winterfest, takes place during the entire month of December, and features a motorized Parade of Lights, a Christmas tree in the Village Park, a Taste of Talkeetna, and numerous special events hosted by local businesses and special events at Talkeetna Public Library.

Clothing company Carhartt sponsors an event in Talkeetna every winter. The attendees tell stories about the mechanical, animal, and other encounters their Carhartt clothes have survived.{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Natasha |date=2002-10-01 |title=In Alaska, These Pants Save Lives. Do You Own a Pair? |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/essays-culture/carhartt-pants-save-lives/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Outside Online |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Stowe |first=Jay |date=2024-10-04 |title=How I Discovered the Story of Alaska's Lifesaving Pants |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/natasha-singer-carhartt-interview/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Outside Online |language=en-US}}

File:Mayor Stubbs.jpg, Honorary "Mayor", held office from 1997 to 2017|alt=big meow meow|300x300px]]

Since Talkeetna is only a census-designated place, it is unincorporated.{{cite web |url=http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_Name=Talkeetna |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017223001/http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_Name=Talkeetna |archive-date=October 17, 2012}} Talkeetna has a Community Council{{cite web |url=http://www.tkacouncil.org/ |title=TKA Community Council |website=www.tkacouncil.org |access-date=July 27, 2012 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022145200/http://www.tkacouncil.org/ |url-status=live }} and its mayor was a cat named Stubbs from 1997 until his death in 2017.{{cite web |title=Following Up On Tuesday's Feline Mayor Story |date=July 18, 2012 |work=Morning Edition |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/07/18/156961189/following-up-on-feline-mayor-story-from-tuesday |quote=The tiny town has no real mayor" |access-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-date=May 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520191637/http://www.npr.org/2012/07/18/156961189/following-up-on-feline-mayor-story-from-tuesday |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/50-awesome-facts-about-everything/ss-BBGYqDn?li=BBnb7Kz#image=43 |title=Archived copy |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043844/http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/50-awesome-facts-about-everything/ss-BBGYqDn?li=BBnb7Kz#image=43 |url-status=dead }} It is located in Matanuska-Susitna Borough's District 7, which is represented by Assembly Member Vern Halter,{{cite web |title=District 7 |url=http://www.matsugov.us/assembly/meet-the-assembly/129-district-7 |publisher=Matanuska-Susitna Borough |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306174855/https://www.matsugov.us/assembly/meet-the-assembly/129-district-7 |url-status=live }} who succeeded borough mayor Larry DeVilbiss.{{cite web |url=http://www.matsugov.us/government/mayor |title=Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor |access-date=July 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728073924/http://www.matsugov.us/government/mayor |archive-date=July 28, 2012}}

File:Aurora Talkeetna.jpg

A popular rumor states Stubbs was elected following a successful write-in campaign by voters who opposed the human candidates.{{cite news |title=Alaska town: Feline mayor is the cat's pajamas |url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/Alaska-town-Feline-mayor-is-the-cat-s-pajamas-3707560.php |access-date=July 15, 2012 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=July 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022094352/http://www.chron.com/news/article/Alaska-town-Feline-mayor-is-the-cat-s-pajamas-3707560.php |archive-date=October 22, 2012}} However, according to NPR, the cat could not have been elected as a write-in candidate because "The tiny town has no real mayor, so there was no election". Stubbs' position is honorary as the town is unincorporated.{{cite news |last=Friedman |first=Amy |title=Cat Marks 15 Years as Mayor of Alaska Town |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/17/cat-marks-15-years-as-mayor-of-alaska-town/ |access-date=July 18, 2012 |newspaper=Time |date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720215324/http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/17/cat-marks-15-years-as-mayor-of-alaska-town/ |url-status=live }} On August 31, 2013, Stubbs was attacked and mauled by a dog while roaming the streets and after treatment at the local veterinarian returned home on September 9.{{cite news |title=Alaska town's honorary cat mayor goes home after dog attack |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/alaska-towns-honorary-cat-mayor-goes-home-after-dog-attack/ |publisher=Fox News |access-date=September 23, 2013 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172451/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/10/alaska-town-honorary-cat-mayor-goes-home-after-dog-attack/ |url-status=live }} Stubbs died on July 21, 2017, at the age of 20 years and 3 months.[http://www.ktva.com/stubbs-talkeetnas-honorary-cat-mayor-dies-987/ Stubbs, Talkeetna’s honorary cat mayor, dies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723113058/http://www.ktva.com/stubbs-talkeetnas-honorary-cat-mayor-dies-987/ |date=July 23, 2017 }}, by Chris Klint, at KTVA; published July 23, 2017; retrieved July 23, 2017 A cat named Aurora has been the unofficial mayor of Talkeetna since 2017, succeeding Stubbs.{{Cite web |last=Schreck |first=Carly |last2=Allgood |first2=Dave |date=2024-05-28 |title=Roadtrippin’ 2024: Seeing Aurora in Talkeetna |url=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/05/28/roadtrippin-2024-seeing-aurora-talkeetna/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Alaska's News Source |language=en}}

{{hidden begin|style=border:solid 1px #aaa|title=The following individuals have represented Talkeetna in the Alaska Legislature since statehood:}}

{{Col-begin-small}}

{{Col-break|width=50%}}

;Representation in the Alaska Senate

• District E (1959–1967) – two-member, at-large district for the Third Division, which consisted of nearly all of Southcentral Alaska and most of Southwest Alaska
• Ralph E. Moody, D-Anchorage (1959–1960; resigned to accept appointment as attorney general, seat left unfilled until start of next legislature)
• Irene E. Ryan, D-Anchorage (1959–1961)
• Vance Phillips, R-Anchorage (1961–1965)
• Howard W. Pollock, R-Anchorage (1961–1963, 1965–1967)
• Nicholas J. Begich, D-Fort Richardson and Spenard (1963–1967)
• District G (1959–1967) – single-member district which covered an area coterminous with the present-day Municipality of Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough
• J. Earl Cooper, D-Anchorage (1959; resigned to accept appointment to judgeship)
• Seaborn J. Buckalew, Jr., D-Anchorage (1960–1961; appointed to replace Cooper)
• Brad Phillips, R-Anchorage (1961–1967)

The area-based apportionment scheme, established in the Alaska Constitution, was abolished following the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Reynolds v. Sims, affirmed by the Alaska Supreme Court in its decision in Nolan v. Wade. Both houses of the legislature were apportioned based strictly on population from this point forward.

• District D (1967–1983)
• Jan M. Koslosky, R-Palmer (1967–1973)
• Jalmar M. Kerttula, D-Palmer (1973–1983)
• District I (1983–1985) – represented by Jalmar M. Kerttula throughout its existence
• District E (1985–1993) – the previous District I, coterminous with both the MSB and the two-member House District 16, was changed due to further redistricting ordered through the decision in Carpenter v. Hammond. The new district was a two-member district, with designated seats A and B, and combined the MSB with portions of Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. This "donut district", which encircled most of Anchorage, was ruled improper in a later court case, No further redistricting was ordered, however, due to the fact that this decision was reached approximately 2 years before the start of the next redistricting cycle.
• District E, Seat A
• Jalmar M. Kerttula (1985–1993)
• District E, Seat B
• Edna B. DeVries, R-Palmer (1985–1987)
• Mike Szymanski, D-Anchorage (1987–1991)
• Curt Menard, D-Wasilla (1991–1993)

Subsequent redistrictings created 40 House districts and 20 Senate districts. This was included with the redistricting amendments to the Alaska Constitution ratified by voters in 1998, which means that future redistricting boards are compelled to follow the same scheme.

• District N (1993–2003)
• Jalmar M. Kerttula (1993–1995, lost reelection)
• Lyda Green, R-Wasilla (1995–2003)
• District H (2003–2013)
• Scott Ogan, R-Palmer (2003–2004, resigned)
• Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla (2004–2013)
• District D (2013–2023)
• Mike J. Dunleavy, R-Wasilla (2013-1/15/2018, resigned)
• Mike Shower, R-Wasilla (2/22/2018-2023 (appointed by Gov. Walker))
• District O (2023–present)
• Mike Shower, R-Wasilla (2023-)

{{Col-break|width=50%}}

;Representation in the Alaska House of Representatives

• District 9 (1959–1963)
• James J. Hurley, D-Palmer (1959–1961)
• Jalmar M. Kerttula, D-Palmer (1961–1963)
• District 7 (1963–1973)
• Eugene Reid, R-Palmer (1963–1965)
• Jalmar M. Kerttula (1965–1973)
• District 6 (1973–1983)
• Alfred O. Ose, D-Palmer (1973–1979)
• Patrick J. Carney, D-Wasilla (1979–1983)
• District 16 (1983–1993) – increasing population in the MSB during the 1970s meant that the borough was apportioned two seats. The scheme in place for this redistricting cycle placed the more densely populated portions of Alaska into two-member districts, with designated seats A and B.
• District 16, Seat A
• Barbara Lacher, R-Wasilla (1983–1985)
• Katie Hurley, D-Wasilla (1985–1987)
• Curt Menard, R (later switched to D)-Wasilla (1987–1991)
• Patrick J. Carney (1991–1993)
• District 16, Seat B – represented by Ronald L. Larson (D-Palmer) throughout its existence

Subsequent redistrictings created 40 House districts and 20 Senate districts. This was included with the redistricting amendments to the Alaska Constitution ratified by voters in 1998, which means that future redistricting boards are compelled to follow the same scheme.

• District 28 (1993–2003)
• Curt Menard (1993–1995)
• Beverly Masek, R-Willow (1995–2003)
• District 15 (2003–2013)
• Beverly Masek (2003–2005, lost renomination)
• Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake (2005–2013)
• District 7 (2013–present) – represented by Wes Keller (R-Wasilla) since its inception

{{Col-end}}

{{hidden end}}

Talkeetna Elementary School is located near the heart of downtown. Grades K–6 are taught at this location. The mascot of Talkeetna Elementary School is the Timber Wolf.

A new Susitna Valley Junior-Senior High School opened in January 2010, replacing the one that burned to the ground in June 2007 while repairs were being made to the roof.{{cite news |url=http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2007/06/08/news/news1.txt |title=Su Valley Jr./Sr. High burns; Talkeetna school a total loss |last=Moses |first=John |date=June 7, 2007 |newspaper=Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-date=January 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114001348/http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2007/06/08/news/news1.txt |url-status=live }} In the interim, classes were held in portables on the grounds of the Upper Susitna Senior Center. The mascot of Susitna Valley Junior-Senior High School is the Ram.

Talkeetna has a community radio station, 88.9 KTNA, with locally hosted shows and NPR programming. Talkeetna has a local newspaper, the Good Times, which has a distribution of 7,500 year-round and serves the communities of Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Willow, Houston and Big Lake, with additional distribution along the Parks Highway as far north as Nenana during the summer months. The Good Times is currently published every other week in print.{{cite web |url=http://www.talkeetnatimes.com/ |title=Talkeetnatimes.com |publisher=Talkeetnatimes.com |access-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425183153/http://www.talkeetnatimes.com/ |url-status=live }} Publishers of the Good Times also publish a local area phone book and an annual visitors’ guide. Another newspaper, The Alaska Pioneer Press, which was under different ownership and was published monthly, ceased publication in January 2011, after its owners moved out of the area. Whole Wheat Radio, an independent webcast, began broadcast in 2002, which was relatively early, and ceased in 2010.[http://www.newsmatsu.com News-Matsu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226213518/http://www.newsmatsu.com/ |date=December 26, 2013 }}, an online news source covering the Mat-Su Borough, was launched in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://ktna.org/2010/10/26/whole-wheat-radio-ends-its-8-year-run/ |title=Whole Wheat Radio ends its 8 year run |access-date=June 9, 2011 |last=Deyoe |first=Sue |date=October 26, 2010 |publisher=KTNA |quote=[...] announced the end of his website [...] unique online radio station over 8 years ago, which might have been a first for Alaska in the online world. |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218172503/http://ktna.org/2010/10/26/whole-wheat-radio-ends-its-8-year-run/ |url-status=live }}

Talkeetna is served by Talkeetna Airport, which is home to several air taxi companies that provide flightseeing trips and support for mountain climbers. Many of the air taxi companies were started to ferry climbers from Talkeetna to Denali, as Talkeetna has the easiest access to the south side of the mountain where the main base camp is located. Legendary bush pilots such as Don Sheldon and Cliff Hudson, both based out of Talkeetna, pioneered glacier flying on Denali (formerly Mount McKinley). Their companies, Talkeetna Air Taxi and Hudson Air Service (now operating as Sheldon Air Service), respectively, are still in operation.{{cite web |title=Denali Park Transportation and Support Services |url=https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/support-services.htm |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715124535/http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/support-services.htm |url-status=live }}

The Talkeetna Airstrip is a restricted use airstrip and on the list of National Historic Places also.

Talkeetna Depot is a stop on the Denali Star, Aurora Winter Train, and Hurricane Turn trains of the Alaska Railroad.

Sunshine Transit provides public transit for the Upper Susitna Valley runs five days a week along the Talkeetna Spur Road. It serves the communities of Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Willow and Houston[https://sunshinetransit.org/ Welcome to Sunshine Transit! Accessible Transportation for Everyone!]

The town of Talkeetna was mentioned in Travel Channel's Man v. Food. In season 2 episode 16, the host travels to the Roadhouse, a restaurant in Talkeetna, to sample their unique breakfast dishes.{{Cite web |author=KTNA Staff |date=October 5, 2009 |title=Man V. Food comes to Talkeetna |url=https://ktna.org/2009/10/man-v-food-comes-to-talkeetna/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=KTNA 88.9 FM |language=en-US}} Also featured is West Rib Pub & Cafe.

The town of Cicely from the television series Northern Exposure has been said that it could be patterned after Talkeetna by a journalist,{{cite web |url=http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/talkeetna.htm |title=Talkeetna, Alaska |last=Woodmancy |first=Don |date=January 16, 2003 |publisher=Roadtrip America |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404151907/http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/talkeetna.htm |url-status=live }} but it has not been confirmed by any cast member. Filming actually took place in Roslyn, Washington.{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE1DB1F3FF934A25755C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 |title=A Town Goes Alaskan for 'Northern Exposure' |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 19, 2009 |date=June 17, 1991}}

Talkeetna features heavily in Railroad Alaska{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3343582/ |title=Railroad Alaska (TV Series 2013– ) |website=IMDb |date=November 16, 2013 |access-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212031533/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3343582/ |url-status=live }} on Discovery Channel. The show has three seasons and deals with the lives of people who work the railway, and off-the-grid residents who depend on the railroad for supplies and access to medical facilities.

A fictionalized portrayal of the town was featured in the Disney film Snow Dogs.

{{Reflist|2}}{{Cite web |title=Talkeetna, AK - Cat Mayor |url=https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/34780 |access-date=June 30, 2023 |website=RoadsideAmerica.com |language=en}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• [http://www.talkeetnachamber.org The Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.newsmatsu.com newsmatsu.com, online news for Talkeetna and the Mat-Su]
• [http://www.talkeetnahistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=20 Talkeetna Historical Society]
• [https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/walter-haper-trs.htm Denali NPS Ranger Station Talkeetna]

{{Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska}}

{{Alaska}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Anchorage metropolitan area

Category:Census-designated places in Alaska

Category:Census-designated places in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska

Category:Mining communities in Alaska