Final Project

Part I:  Timeline of Craig, Alaska

 (Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska)

1907 
Craig Miller and 8 Haida men established a saltery at Fish Egg Island.  They capitalized on the herring spawn and to this day, the herring run remains a vital part of the economy and an opportunity to celebrate the history of Craig. 

1912 

The Craig Cannery was built and packed 57,501 cases in it's first year.  The first school, post office, and sawmill were also constructed and opened in Craig this same year. 

1920's  
Wireless station, steamer visits, mail and freight shipments were established from Seattle and Ketchikan to transport fish as well as provide residents with basic necessities and communications needs. 

1940's 

After the great depression and the beginning of WWII, the salmon run began to decline and pricing fell.

1956 

The second cannery, the Libby Cannery which was built in 1935 burned down greatly affecting the ability to package and ship salmon.

1959

Alaska gains statehood and the new governor vows to reestablish the salmon fishery providing hope for the current residents of POW island.





1971
ANCSA, or the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, was passed in 1971 which established Native corporations such as Shaan Seet, a Craig village coorporation which provided a new economy through the logging industry on Prince of Wales Island.










Part II:  Cause-Effect Statements

Due to the expansion of the fishing industry and cannery, mail, freight, and steamer visits were established to accommodate the shipments of fish from the cannery, and to provide the new residents with life necessities. 

Link:  Economy, Transportation, Population

The declining salmon runs of the 40's, destruction of the Libby cannery, and the WWII draft all contributed to the 50% population decline of Prince of Wales Island.  However, in 1959, when Alaska gained statehood, the new governor vowed to reestablish the salmon fishery of the island. 

Link: Economy, Government, World War II, Population.  

When ANCSA was passed in 1971, the Craig village corporation of Shaan-Seet was established and began to log the areas surrounding Craig.  This provided a huge population and economy jump as many loggers from the lower 48 began migrating to Craig for employment.

Link:  Government, Economy, Population/Settlement