Tenakee Springs, Chichagof Island, AK

 

Tonight, we are in Dunn Passage/Weinberg Inlet on Campania Island. We re-entered Canada four days ago. Our anchorage tonight is just a few kilometers from our home cruising grounds.

 

This post is about the community of Tenakee Springs, which is situated in Tenakee Inlet on the east side of Chichagof Island. We visited there in early August.

Access to this tiny community is by ferry, boat, float plane or helicopter. There is only one road and it’s not wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Most residents use ATV’s or bicycles to get around.

We characterize the community as quiet and friendly. Everyone says hi and all are happy to talk to visitors. The community has a 100+ year history and some of the original buildings are still being used. There are around 100 people living there seasonally. Winter population would be a small fraction of that number.

The winter weather is windy, cold, dark and wet. When it does snow, it’s deep and heavy. But the bigger problem is that frequent storms prevent access for delivery of food and other supplies. The ferries do not service the community in January and February. Float planes can rarely make it there in the winter and pilots are loathe to try.

  

There is a public dock in very good condition, used by sports fishermen, guides and commercial fishermen. The dock has power but no potable water.

Homes are strung along either side of the only road. There’s very little flat ground. Homes on the seaward side are perched above the water on piers. Homes on the other side of the road are built on a steep hillside. This is pretty common in a lot of the coastal communities we visited. One fellow had built a tram to haul his groceries up the hill to his home.

The homes are well kept and built using an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Most have an artistic flair of one sort or another. It’s obvious that everyone takes pride in their place and take the time to add creative touches, bright colors, humor, or something unique.

Properties are very narrow; some lots are 32’ wide. And it seems there is no required minimum setback because several of the homes have about 16” between them. We’re not sure how the siding was installed on them. Whoever builds first has the advantage!

 

This historic buildings is the original mercantile and it is still being used for that purpose.

The community Share Shed.

Another historic building that serves as the museum and art gallery.

Volunteer Fire Department and EMS

Tenakee Springs is known for its hot spring fed public bath house. Use is by donation and you must follow the rules: There are separate hours for men and women, and swimsuits are not allowed. You must wash before you go in the tub. It’s a Japanese style deep soaker tub with room for several friends at one time.

This is the changing room.



The hot spring soaker tub.