The Talkeetna, Alaska Story

The Gateway to Denali

Michael R Dougherty

Nov 09, 2025

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Pictured above is Talkeetna in 1917.

Do you remember the quirky 1990s TV show Northern Exposure?

Nagley's Store in Modern day Talkeetna, Alaska.

In the photo above is a modern-day look at part of Talkeetna.

The TV show, Northern Exposure, was set in the fictional village of Cicely, Alaska. Supposedly, the actual village of Talkeetna was the inspiration for the fictional Cicely. You decide.

Side Note:

Mary and I (Mike) of Alaska Stories want to go on the record by stating that we think the name “Cicely” was the worst name ever as a Hollywood name for an Alaska town.

What’s a Talkeetna?

Pronounced TALL-KEEt-nah, it comes from the Dena’ina word K’Dalkitnu, meaning “river of plenty” or “food is stored river.”

The Dena’ina used the rivers in the area much like we would use roads. There is a convergence of three rivers around Talkeetna. The Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna Rivers.

Talkeetna is around 114 road miles from Anchorage. Take the Glenn Highway toward the Matanuska Valley. Near Matanuska Lake, follow the Parks Highway and look to your left for Talkeetna.

The Great One

The Dena’ina named it “the great one.” At 20,310 feet tall, Denali is the largest mountain in North America.

Because Denali is just up the Parks Highway, only 152 miles from Talkeetna, the village of Talkeetna is also called the “Gateway to Denali.”

Gold

In 1897, William Dickey prospected for gold in the area.

But no gold was found until around 1898, when it was discovered at Cache Creek.

As a result, the Alaska Commercial Company built a small trading post in what would become Talkeetna.

Steamer bringing supplies to early Talkeetna, Alaska.

In the picture above, a riverboat full of supplies arrives in Talkeetna

During the gold rush, Talkeetna was a steamer station for riverboats supplying miners and trappers in the area.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will give you an all-expenses-paid trip by dog sled from Anchorage to Talkeetna (winter only)… well, it could happen.

Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

The Alaska Railroad

In 1915, the Alaska Engineering Commission chose Talkeetna for their headquarters as they began expanding the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks, which is north of Talkeetna.

Nagley’s Store

By 1917, there were around 1,000 people in the area. That’s the year H.W. Nagley opened a store in Talkeetna. It’s still there today.

The U.S. Post Office established its Talkeetna branch that same year.

The Talkeetna Village Airstrip

In 1938, the Talkeetna Village Airstrip made travel in and out much quicker.

The following year an airfield was built only a few hundred yards from the Village airstrip. The newer airfield became known as Talkeetna Airport.

Don Sheldon - Alaska Bush Pilot

Bush pilot Don Sheldon in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Pictured above is Don Sheldon and his Talkeetna Air Service.

Sheldon was living in Anchorage when he decided to go as far north in Alaska as he could afford.

His funds took him as far as a train trip to Talkeetna. Ten years later, he opened Talkeetna Air Service.

Sheldon pioneered the technique of glacier landings on Denali and throughout the Alaska Range from 1947 to 1975.

His bush flying abilities made him a sought-after pilot for both civilian and military rescues in Alaska.

When they said, “No one can get through,” they knew it was time to contact Don Sheldon, who would complete the rescue in his Piper Super Cub.

BONUS

Welcome to Talkeetna, Alaska sign, created by Peter Dana.

What was it like to live in the small village of Talkeetna in the 1970s?

Author Laura O’Siggins tells the story.

Take a look at The Flip Side of Peter Dana and enjoy.

His Honor - Stubbs the Cat

Stubbs the Cat, one time honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska.

In the photo above, Stubbs the Cat poses for tourists.

In 1997, Nagley’s General Store needed a new cat.

They adopted a Manx mix with a short tail and named the cat “Stubbs.”

Now Talkeetna is unincorporated, which means there is no form of government.

So, naturally, someone had the idea to do something very different for the village, which is nothing new for the people of Talkeetna.

Stubbs the cat was given the distinction of being named the honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska. Stubbs performed his duties as mayor from April 12, 1997, until July 21, 2017.

During his time as the mayor, His Honor was known for taking long naps, purring, and posing for photos with his eyes closed.

While Stubbs is no longer with us, the tradition of honorary feline mayors continues in a special place called Talkeetna, Alaska.