Susitna North

History

Ahtna-speaking Athabascans lived in the Talkeetna Mountains and had a village opposite the mouth of Sunshine Creek called "Tsuk Qayeh", meaning "Old Village". Dena'ina-speaking Athabascans lived along the Deshka River and the middle Susitna River in the winter, below present-day Talkeetna. A Dena'ina village was located on the North Fork of the Kashwitna River, with a trail to Chickaloon, Alaska. Montana Creek became a small Dena'ina village in about 1915 during construction of the Alaska Railroad. Through 1927, the railroad brought employment and settlement to the area. Montana, at Mile 209.3, was one of the first construction camps. In 1918, a spur was constructed to a coal mine in the area. Sunshine Depot at Mile 215.3 was established in 1918, but was moved to higher ground in 1936. Construction of the Parks Highway and state land disposals led to settlement of the area.

Geography

Y is located at (62.154270, -149.79892) (Sec. 22, T024N, R003W, Seward Meridian) in the Palmer Recording District. Y is the developed area between Willow and Talkeetna along the George Parks Highway. The Parks Highway and Talkeetna Spur Road form what is locally known as the "Talkeetna Y" at mile 98.7 (km 158.8) of the Parks Highway. Y includes Montana Creek and Sunshine. January temperatures range from ; July can range from . Precipitation ranges from , with of snowfall. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it (0.92%) is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Susitna Valley High
  High · Talkeetna · 221 students · 14.7:1 ratio