Angoon, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Angoon is a city on Admiralty Island
in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 572, by the 2010 census the population had declined to 459. The name in Tlingit
, Aangóon, means roughly "isthmus
town."
Angoon is the largest permanent settlement on Admiralty Island
. It is located on an isthmus at the mouth of Kootznahoo Inlet on the west side of the island. It is 97 km (60.3 mi) southwest of Juneau
. The only other community on the island is Cube Cove
, to the north.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 38.6 square miles (100 km²), of which, 22.5 square miles (58.3 km²) of it is land and 16.1 square miles (41.7 km²) of it (41.69%) is water.
, 0.52% Black
or African American
, 81.99% Native American
, 0.17% Asian
, 1.40% from other races
, and 4.55% from two or more races. 5.42% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 184 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.64.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 34.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 110.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,861, and the median income for a family was $31,429. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $30,625 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,357. About 27.0% of families and 27.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.1% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.
During the Russian period in Alaska, from the 18th century to the mid-19th century, fur trading was a major economic activity in the area.
In 1878, after the 1867 Alaska Purchase
, the Northwest Trading Company established a trading post and whaling station on nearby Killisnoo Island
and employed Angoon villagers to hunt whales. Whaling, a school and a Russian Orthodox Church attracted many Tlingits to neighboring Killisnoo
.
In 1882, a whaling vessel's harpoon charge accidentally misfired and exploded, killing a crewmember who was a Tlingit shaman, or medicine man. Villagers demanded payment of 200 blankets to the man's family, as was customary. The Northwest Trading Company sought help from the United States Navy at Sitka. Angoon and a nearby summer camp were shelled and destroyed by the revenue cutter .
After a short time, the Northwest Trading Company switched to herring processing. During this time, many Tlingits moved to Killisnoo for employment at the fish plant. In 1928, Killisnoo was destroyed by fire and many Tlingits returned to Angoon.
In 1973, Angoon won a U.S. $90,000 settlement from the United States government for the 1882 bombardment.
and fish processing
are the mainstays of the economy at Angoon now.
Angoon is looking into non-diesel electric power generation to reduce local electric bills.
Admiralty Island
Admiralty Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska, at . It is 145 km long and 56 km wide with an area of 4,264.1 km² , making it the seventh largest island in the United States and the 132nd largest island in the world. It is one of the...
in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 572, by the 2010 census the population had declined to 459. The name in Tlingit
Tlingit language
The Tlingit language ) is spoken by the Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska and Western Canada. It is a branch of the Na-Dené language family. Tlingit is very endangered, with fewer than 140 native speakers still living, all of whom are bilingual or near-bilingual in English...
, Aangóon, means roughly "isthmus
Isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side.Canals are often built through isthmuses where they may be particularly advantageous to create a shortcut for marine transportation...
town."
Geography
Angoon is located at 57°29′49"N 134°34′25"W (57.496891, -134.573579).Angoon is the largest permanent settlement on Admiralty Island
Admiralty Island
Admiralty Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska, at . It is 145 km long and 56 km wide with an area of 4,264.1 km² , making it the seventh largest island in the United States and the 132nd largest island in the world. It is one of the...
. It is located on an isthmus at the mouth of Kootznahoo Inlet on the west side of the island. It is 97 km (60.3 mi) southwest of Juneau
Juneau, Alaska
The City and Borough of Juneau is a unified municipality located on the Gastineau Channel in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Alaska. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906, when the government of the then-District of Alaska was moved from Sitka as dictated by the U.S. Congress in 1900...
. The only other community on the island is Cube Cove
Cube Cove, Alaska
Cube Cove is a census-designated place on the northwestern side of Admiralty Island in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 72 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cube Cove is located at ....
, to the north.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 38.6 square miles (100 km²), of which, 22.5 square miles (58.3 km²) of it is land and 16.1 square miles (41.7 km²) of it (41.69%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 572 people, 184 households, and 138 families residing in the city. The population density was 25.4 people per square mile (9.8/km²). There were 221 housing units at an average density of 9.8 per square mile (3.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 11.36% WhiteRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.52% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 81.99% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.40% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.55% from two or more races. 5.42% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 184 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.64.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 34.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 110.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,861, and the median income for a family was $31,429. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $30,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,357. About 27.0% of families and 27.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.1% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.
History
Admiralty Island has long been the home of the Kootznoowoo Tlingit group, or Xootsnoowú Ḵwáan in Tlingit. Kootznoowoo means "fortress of brown bears", literally xoots-noow-ú "brown.bear-fortress-possessive". Angoon has a less-rainy climate than most of southeastern Alaska and was valued by the Tlingit for that reason.During the Russian period in Alaska, from the 18th century to the mid-19th century, fur trading was a major economic activity in the area.
In 1878, after the 1867 Alaska Purchase
Alaska purchase
The Alaska Purchase was the acquisition of the Alaska territory by the United States from Russia in 1867 by a treaty ratified by the Senate. The purchase, made at the initiative of United States Secretary of State William H. Seward, gained of new United States territory...
, the Northwest Trading Company established a trading post and whaling station on nearby Killisnoo Island
Killisnoo Island
Killisnoo Island is a small island in the Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska, at . It is located just off the central west coast of Admiralty Island, south of the city of Angoon...
and employed Angoon villagers to hunt whales. Whaling, a school and a Russian Orthodox Church attracted many Tlingits to neighboring Killisnoo
Killisnoo, Alaska
Killisnoo is an unincorporated community on Killisnoo Island in the Hoonah-Angoon Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska, near Angoon which is on Admiralty Island. Killisnoo is located at .-History:...
.
In 1882, a whaling vessel's harpoon charge accidentally misfired and exploded, killing a crewmember who was a Tlingit shaman, or medicine man. Villagers demanded payment of 200 blankets to the man's family, as was customary. The Northwest Trading Company sought help from the United States Navy at Sitka. Angoon and a nearby summer camp were shelled and destroyed by the revenue cutter .
After a short time, the Northwest Trading Company switched to herring processing. During this time, many Tlingits moved to Killisnoo for employment at the fish plant. In 1928, Killisnoo was destroyed by fire and many Tlingits returned to Angoon.
In 1973, Angoon won a U.S. $90,000 settlement from the United States government for the 1882 bombardment.
Economy
FishingFishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and fish processing
Fish processing
The term fish processing refers to the processes associated with fish and fish products between the time fish are caught or harvested, and the time the final product is delivered to the customer...
are the mainstays of the economy at Angoon now.
Angoon is looking into non-diesel electric power generation to reduce local electric bills.
Further reading
- Garfield, Viola (1947) "Historical Aspects of Tlingit Clans in Angoon, Alaska." American Anthropologist, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 438–452.
- Jacobs, Harold (2000) "Xoodzidaa Kwáan: Inhabitants of the Burning Wood Fort." In: Will the Time Ever Come? A Tlingit Source Book, ed. by Andrew Hope III and Thomas F. Thornton, pp. 34–47. Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Knowledge Network.
External links
- Juneau Empire story and transcription of 1882 letter critical of Angoon shelling; only unofficial contemporary source
- Naval Historical Center. Shelling of the Alaskan native American village of Angoon, October, 1882 Original reports from M.A. Healy, E.C. Merriman, W.G. Morris, and supporting documents, in PDF form.