Talkeetna is located at the confluence of three rivers, the Susitna, Chulitna and Talkeetna. Talkeetna began in 1916 when the area was chosen as district headquarters for the Alaska Railroad. A post office opened as well as a sawmill, trading post, cigar store and other businesses plus many cabins. In 1917, the residents encouraged the government to survey the lots on which their homes stood. In 1919, the railroad surveyed and auctioned 80 lots, 41 of which already had permanent structures on them. The average price at the sale was $14.25.

Flightseeing, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing and hunting make up a large portion of the local economy. Talkeetna is a 2.5 hour drive from Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. The core downtown area is classified as a National Historic Site, with buildings dating from the early 1900s including Nagley's General Store, Fairview Inn and the Talkeetna Roadhouse.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 42.9 square miles, of which, 41.6 square miles of it is land and 1.4 square miles of it (3.19%) is water.

GOVERNMENT: Since Talkeetna is only a census-designated place, it is unincorporated. Talkeetna has a Community Council and its honorary mayor is a cat named Stubbs. It is located in Matanuska-Susitna Borough's District 7, which is represented by Assembly Member Vern Halter. The borough mayor is Larry DeVilbiss.

Stubbs has been the honorary mayor since 1997. A popular rumor states Stubbs was elected following a successful write-in campaign by voters who opposed the human candidates. However, according to NPR, the cat could not have been elected as a write-in candidate because "The tiny town has no real mayor, so there was no election." Stubbs' position is also honorary because the town is only a "historical district". On August 31, 2013, Stubbs was attacked and mauled by a dog while roaming the streets and after treatment at the local veterinarian returned home on September 9. As of 2016, he is still honorary mayor.

NOTE: Above quote from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talkeetna,_Alaska

Below: Talkeetna River which on a clear day gives a view of Denali mountain. This was not a clear day. However when the two RV Gypsies were in Talkeetna in 2009, they did see Denali mountain from here. Those photos can be seen through the TOC button above.

The two RV Gypsies and family ate at the West Rib Pub & Grill. There was a few problems with the server and food preparations.

A double rainbow seen while driving from downtown Talkeetna to the Talkeetna Denali View Lodge. Photo taken through the window of a moving car while it was lightly raining outside.

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