We are on the land of the Dena’ina Ełnena

4,000 – 6,000 years ago to late 1800s

The land was partially glaciated, but the Mountain People traveled the area using the rivers as highways.  This area was rich in natural resources – salmon, bears, moose and other animals made survival less difficult in the harsh climate.  There is evidence that there were summer camps established around the Talkeetna area along the rivers. Archeological studies in our region show food cache pits and other treasures. Those people would not have likely seen white explorers until after 1880, unless they traveled south to the lower Cook Inlet. They would have referred to Talkeetna as K’dalkitnu – food-is-stored river, or ‘river where we store our food’.  In the early 1900s, explorers would describe the place name as “river of plenty”, likely due to misunderstanding in translation. The end of Talkeetna’s main street where three river converge was Llingsledt.  The mountain Denali, was Dghelay Ka’a.  Deenalee was a word from the Koyukon people, which later became Denali.The Talkeetna Museum sits on the traditional homeland of the Dena’ina, and more specifically, the Dghelay Teht’ana and K’dalkitnu Ht’ana. The museum is committed to recognizing and honoring the land, culture and language of the Dena’ina people. We recognize and respect the continuing connection, by all Indigenous people, to the land, the waters and communities..

Alaska Engineering Commission and the Railroad

1916 – 1923

The building of the Alaska Railroad began in earnest in 1914 in Seward.  By 1915, a district headquarters had developed in what would become present day Anchorage. In 1916, a district headquarters opened further north in Talkeetna.   Talkeetna became a hub of railroad and mining activity with an estimated population of 1,000 people by 1917. There were roadhouses, bunkhouses, a trading post, sawmill, coffee houses and people began building homes.  In 1919, the railroad was completed past Talkeetna.  Many people moved on to find railroad work to the north.  By 1920, the population had plummeted to 70 people.  That decline was due to the flu epidemic of 1918, which killed thousands across Alaska, as well as World War I and the completion of the rail lines through Talkeetna. 

To the north, in 1923 was the opening of the Curry Hotel in Curry, Alaska. It was the halfway point between Anchorage and Fairbanks and would serve as the refueling station for the steam trains.  It was also the site of an upscale hotel, with tennis courts, ski hill, swimming pool and black tie dining room.  For travelers ready to see wilderness, Curry was a site to behold.  People could have easily been in downtown Anchorage or any other city.

That summer, President Warren G. Harding became the first sitting president to visit Alaska. He journeyed north with the intent of pounding the final spike in the railroad and signify its completion.  Although there is speculation that he made a stop in Talkeetna, there are no photos or mention of the stop in any itinerary or presidential papers.  He made stops in Metlakatla, Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Seward, Anchorage, Willow, Curry, Cantwell and of course, Nenana and Fairbanks.  As he sailed south after his visit to the interior, he would also see Valdez and Cordova before heading to Seattle.  Later, Talkeetna residents would boast that the president not only stopped in Talkeetna, but dined and drank at the fancy Fairview Hotel. (No, it was prohibition era and the Fairview did not serve alcohol until 1934)  It would become folklore difficult to stop.  To this day, people still ask about the Harding visit, even though there is no proof that his presidential train car stopped here.

The 1950s to today

1950 – 2000

In the mid 50s there was a renewed effort to expand the Talkeetna Airport (not the small village airstrip).  It was becoming easier to get to Alaska, too.  Air travel and the completion of the Alaska Canadian Highway meant access into more remote areas.  In 1959, Alaska Statehood meant huge changes.   In late 1950s and early 60s, much progress was made on the highway that would eventually connect Anchorage to Fairbanks. In 1963, Talkeetna was put on the map by being the best spot int he entire nation to see the total solar eclipse.  Hundreds of people descended on Talkeetna July 1963 for the event.  Special railroad passes were made available; the airfield was filled with aircraft.  It was estimated between 1500 and 2000 people witnesses the eclipse.  In 1963, the Talkeetna Spur Road became a reality. It was a rough road in the beginning and became more improved after the Great Earthquake damage repair in 1964.  People could drive from Anchorage all the way into downtown Talkeetna!

In 1971, the “open to entry” land sales started a mini-stampede of “back to the land” people from the lower 48 states.  The size of Talkeetna doubled from 150 to 300.

In 1971, the original territorial schoolhouse would close due to crowded conditions. A new elementary and high school were built. Mountaineering on Denali would become more and more popular by the mid 70s.  By 1980 the population of Talkeetna was 264 people and by 2000, it had tripled to 772.   In the early 1990s, Talkeetna would begin to see tourism. Tourism meant jobs and jobs meant more people. In 1993, the efforts to preserve a section of downtown Talkeetna came to fruition when a 2 block by 3 block area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.