Chicken, AK

On August 3rd, I topped off my diesel and propane in preparation to head to our last Alaskan town to visit. Chicken, AK. Chicken was and still is a gold mining town. You can only get to it in the summer, the road from Tok, AK or Dawson City, YT aren't plowed in the winter. The population according to the Milepost mag is 23 in the summer and 7 in the winter. The locals tell me that the winter population is now down to 4. There are only 3 businesses here.

Chicken Creek RV Park and the Goldpanner Cafe

The Chicken Gold Camp which also has a cafe, which is where I stayed.

And they have this old restored gold dredge on display

And then there is Downtown Chicken! LOL Complete with a merchantile, saloon, cafe and RV parking.

I met up with my friends Tina and Nan. We had breakfast at The Chicken Creek Cafe, which has HUGE blueberry pancakes! They serve them in a gold panning dish! LOL We could each only eat half. This was the leftover ;) I forgot to take a picture before we ate.

We were checking out the saloon after breakfast and laughing because it was a little early in the morning for making such a visit ;) LOL

Inside all over the ceiling and walls are autographed hats of those who have visited in the past. Kinda like the dollar bills at the Salty Dawg :)

Tina and Nan headed for Dawson City and I stayed behind to take the walking tour of the Old Town Chicken. It is private property now, so that was the only way to see it. The town is well documented in a book entitled "Tisha". It tells the story of the trials of a young school teacher who lives there year round and the conflict between the natives over 100 years ago.

Road to the Old town.

The old schoolhouse, where she also lived.

The inside walls remain intact according ot the description in the book. Right down to the color of the paint.

Mr. Strong was the Postal carrier and supplier for all of Chicken and Eagle, AK to the north. He made trips with horses and sled in the winter. His Merchantile for supplies still stands.

As well as his horse barn.

There was even a roadhouse here, where the community would get together for dances. And was available for anyone passing through. It also still stands.