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Additional Information pages for Prince of Wales Island

133° 09' W Longitude - 55° 28' N Latitude
Craig is located on a small island off the west coast of Prince of Wales Island, and is connected by a short causeway. It is 5 miles south of Klawock, by road. It lies 56 miles northwest of Ketchikan, 750 air miles north of Seattle and 220 miles south of Juneau.

History:
The Tlingit and Haida peoples have historically utilized the area around Craig for its rich resources. A fish saltery was built on nearby Fish Egg Island in 1907 by Craig Miller. Between 1908 and 1911, he constructed the Lyndenburger Packing Company and cold storage plant at the present site of Craig. In 1912, a post office, a school, a sawmill, and a salmon cannery were constructed. Excellent pink salmon runs contributed to the development and growth of the community through the late 1930s. During the 1950s, the fishing industry collapsed due to depleted salmon runs. In 1972, Ed Head built a large sawmill six miles from Craig near Klawock, which provided year-round jobs and helped to stabilize the economy. Head Mill was sold in the early 1990s to Viking Lumber.
Today, Craig is predominantly a non-Native fishing community, with influences of the Tlingit-Haida culture and history. The economy is based on the fishing industry, logging and sawmill operations. Growth has been due in part to the increased role of the community as a service and transportation center for the Prince of Wales Island communities. Timber operations, fishing, fish processing, government and commercial services provide most employment. Deer, salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab are harvested for recreational or subsistence purposes.  There are several hotels, motels, bed & breakfast, lodges, grocery stores, health stores, gift shops, sporting good, bars, barber shops, a community swimmimg pool, a library, banks, laundromats and showers, a clinic, seafood and camping supplies.

Additional Information pages for Prince of Wales Island