Community Type: 1st Class City
Current Population: 529
Borough Name: Unorganized
Regional Native Corporation: Doyon, Limited
REAA/School District: Galena City Schools
Galena is located on the north bank of the Yukon river, 52 miles east of Nulato and 270 air miles west of Fairbanks.
Galena was established near an old fish camp site in 1918 as a supply point for the area's mines. These mines were used to explore lead ore known as galena. In 1920, Koyukon Athabaskans living upriver began moving to Galena to sell wood to steamboats and to haul freight for the mines.
The population is mixed Athabaskan and non-Native, and traditional festivals attract visitors from other river villages. The establishment of the Galena and Campion Air Force Bases in the 1950s have brought growth and change to Galena. The Air Force Base is no longer active and the area is used for education purposes. The Air Force uses the site for training purposes. The University of Alaska Yukon-Koyukuk Center is housed in the same building as the Project Education Charter School at the Consortium Building.
Galena serves as the transportation, government and commercial center for the western Interior. Federal, state, city and village government jobs dominate, but Galena has many other jobs in air transportation and retail businesses. 31 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The Illinois Creek gold mine is currently in operation near Galena.
The State-owned airstrip provides the only year-round access. Galena serves as a regional transport center for surrounding villages. The rivers allow access by cargo barges in summer months. A boat launch was recently completed. During winter, the frozen rivers are used by snowmachines for local travel.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. Temperatures range from below zero to the high 70's. Average precipitation is 12.7 inches, with 60 inches of snowfall annually.
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