Haines Junction is a small village in the Yukon Territory, population around 600. It started as a construction camp for the Alaskan Highway, then the Haines Highway, and has somehow hung on as a minor tourist stop.
Two churches demonstrate common construction techniques in the area. Quonset huts were used by the military during WW II and became readily available to the public when bases shut down. Log structures are simply a matter of accessible building materials.
The Haines Highway is 150 miles long, ending at the port city of Haines, and is a significant supply line. Having seen Haines briefly during an Alaskan Cruise years earlier, we thought the 300 mile round trip would be worth it to get a better feel for the town. It turned out that the scenery along the highway was ample justification for the long drive. Like most of coastal Alaska, summers are almost perpetually cloudy and rainy.
Haines itself was originally a Tlingit Indian village that became a trading center when Europeans arrived. It grew as a result of establishment of U.S. Army base William H. Seward. Following closure of the base, the population declined and is now about 1700. Fishing and tourism are important to the economy, supported by the Alaska Ferry System and several cruise lines that stop here. In the winter, Haines is a major gathering site for bald eagles and many people come to view them.
A popular museum features numerous stuffed animals from the surrounding area.
There is still a significant Tlingit population in Haines that stages historical presentations and salmon dinners.
The Seward army base has been preserved by private interests and has a Historical Landmark designation.
Plants do very well here due to the mild climate and lots of rain.
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