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38-769: AVO operates out of two locations. One is at the U.S. Geological Survey office on the campus of Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage . Other AVO offices are at the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks . The following list shows volcanoes regularly monitored by the Alaska Volcano Observatory using activity detection instruments. While the majority of these volcanoes are in remote locations and would only pose

76-526: A need for high-quality coal to fuel U.S. battleships, and by 1917 the US Navy had constructed rail from the port of Seward to the Chickaloon coal deposits. At the end of World War I, the U.S. Navy distributed land in the coal fields to war veterans and additional land was opened to homesteading. Farmers, miners and homesteaders began to populate the area. The Palmer Post Office was opened July 6, 1917, under

114-683: A number of city parks. The Mat-Su Miners , a franchise in the Alaska Baseball League , a high-level summer collegiate baseball league, play their games at Hermon Brothers Field on the State Fairgrounds. Colony High School bands play pep rally music, and different venders get together to bring a large crowd to support. With Division I collegiate players from all over the United States, the Miners have twice captured

152-412: A professional studies programs for non-traditional students . The Early Honors program functions as an alternative to the senior year in high school. The main campus includes academic facilities, residence halls, community gathering spaces, recreational facilities, and winter and summer recreational trails. The campus consists of eight major buildings, with five of them currently utilized directly by

190-413: A threat to aviation, there are a few in some areas that could have an impact on populated communities. The following list shows select volcanoes monitored by AVO but currently do not have activity detection instruments and generally rely on satellite and local observations. These primarily include volcanoes that have had eruptions or other volcanic activity in recent years. Such monitoring is not limited to

228-695: Is Hatcher Pass , a scenic mountainous pass. It has been established as a state park and is the home of the Independence Mine. It serves as a local back-country area for skiers, snowboarders, snowmachiners, and hikers as well as a tourist attraction in the summer months. The area is also home to the Kepler-Bradley Lakes State Recreation Area, which grants access to numerous small lakes, the Finger Lake State Recreation Area , and

266-682: Is Matanuska Peak . Lazy Mountain, Matanuska Peak, and Pioneer Peak are all a part of the Chugach Range. North of Palmer are the Talkeetna Mountains. Hatcher Pass, a local favorite for hiking, skiing and other recreational activities, is located in this mountain range about 22 mi (35 km) from Palmer. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km ), all of it land. Palmer and Wasilla are

304-779: Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the location (along with North and South Atwood) of a major conference of Alaska Natives at the time of the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. APU has an extension of its campus in Palmer, Alaska , known as the Kellogg Campus. It functions as a 700-acre working farm for students of the sustainability program, as well as an environmental learning center for home-schooled students. Alaska Pacific University

342-679: Is 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway . It lies on the north shore of the Matanuska River , not far above tidewater, in a wide valley between the Talkeetna Mountains to the north and the Chugach Mountains to the south and east. Pioneer Peak rises over 6,000 feet (1,800 m) above the town, just a few miles south. East of Palmer is Lazy Mountain, and standing behind that

380-705: Is a city in and the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska , United States, located 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway in the Matanuska Valley . It is the ninth-largest city in Alaska , and forms part of the Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2020 census , the population of the city is 5,888, down from 5,937 in 2010. Palmer hosts

418-463: Is blown away. These warm winds can raise winter temperatures for a couple days at a time, and are often called Chinook winds by the local people. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 5,937 people, 1,472 households, and 1,058 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,206.3 inhabitants per square mile (465.8/km ). There were 1,555 housing units at an average density of 413.8 per square mile (159.8/km ). The racial makeup of

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456-414: Is known for its Nordic Ski Team. The APU Nordic Ski Center (APUNSC) was established in 1999 as a regional Olympic training center for cross-country skiers. Alaska Methodist University's ski team sent four skiers to the 1972 Winter Olympics ; AMU/APU has sent at minimum one skier to every winter Olympics after 1972, including Kikkan Randall who became a gold medalist in the cross-country skiing event at

494-579: Is of a modest size, with about 900 students and approximately 60 staff members. In 1999, It became the first school in Alaska to offer the International Baccalaureate program. About ten minutes from Palmer are "cross-town" rivals, Colony Middle School and Colony High School . Palmer is also home to Alaska Bible College , the state's only accredited school of theology and ministry, and Matanuska-Susitna College , an extended college of

532-632: The 2018 Winter Olympics . Associated Students of Alaska Pacific University (ASAPU) is the elected body for student government. ASAPU members represent student interests and oversee student clubs and organizations. APU has an assortment of student clubs and organizations with which students can affiliate themselves. In the Residence Halls, the Resident Activity Programming Board hosts events for students who live on campus. Palmer, Alaska Palmer

570-784: The University of Alaska Anchorage . The Palmer Alaska Job Corps is at 800 E. Lynn Martin Drive, across from the Hageland airfield. The Ya Ne Dah Ah School (YNDA School), operated by the Athabascan Nation Chickaloon Village, uses Alaska Native methods to teach children. It was established in 1992. It is funded with grant money. In 2012 the school did not receive an annual grant which would allow it to fund Athna language and cultural programs, and it failed to receive Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funds since

608-474: The Alaska Railroad operates a special train from Anchorage to Palmer (though it did not operate in 2021). Palmer has a subarctic climate ( Köppen climate classification : Dsc ). Despite this classification, the city receives noticeably more precipitation in summer, with August being the wettest month. However, April, one of the six warmer months is sufficiently drier than October and December, hence

646-500: The BIA had a 1995 rule preventing it from funding Alaska Native programs. On October 28, 1980, Palmer and Saroma agreed to a bilateral sister relation to promote cultural exchange and support a home-stay program for their residents. The relationship began with a friendship formed between Mr. Mutsuhiro Ishiguro, an English teacher at Saroma High School, and Palmer resident Edward Holmes. They met over their ham radios, and over time formed

684-493: The United Methodist Church later in life, and used his position to campaign for the development of a Methodist University in Alaska. Alaska Methodist University dedicated its campus on June 28, 1959. In April 1958, Donald F. Ebright was elected as the university's first administrative president. Frederick P. McGinnis was elected in 1960, and served as acting president to the first class of students to attend

722-617: The Visitor Information Center is the United Protestant Church (aka The Church of a Thousand Trees), a Presbyterian church. It was built in 1936–37 and is one of the 17 structures that contribute to the National Register's Matanuska Colony Historic District. The Friday Fling is a local downtown event that takes place around the public library and train depot. Many small local businesses and farmers gather to sell goods. Twelve miles north of Palmer

760-427: The age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.29. In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 33.6% under

798-460: The age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 45,571, and the median income for a family was $ 53,164. Males had a median income of $ 44,716 versus $ 25,221 for females. The per capita income for

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836-631: The annual Alaska State Fair , and is also the headquarters of the National Tsunami Warning Center . The city was named after George Palmer, a trader. In the late 19th century, the U.S. government began to take interest in the Matanuska coal fields located north of Palmer. This interest sparked financiers to consider constructing the Alaska Central Railroad in 1904. The advent of World War I created

874-762: The area and there are still many operating farms in the Palmer area, including the Vanderwheele and Wolverine farms. In 1971, the National Outdoor Leadership School started operating wilderness education courses in the nearby Talkeetna and Chugach mountain ranges from a local historic farmhouse, the Berry House , which is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places . In addition to an agrarian heritage,

912-535: The border between USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4b and 5a, indicating the coldest temperature of the year is typically around −20 °F (−29 °C). Palmer is flanked by two glaciers, the Matanuska Glacier and the Knik Glacier . Wind blows through the Matanuska and Knik River Valleys into the town frequently. If there is a substantial snowfall, it will often sit for several days before most of it

950-420: The city was 80.9% White, 2.1% Black or African American, 8.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 6.3% from two or more races. 3.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 14.9% were of German, 10.5% United States or American, 8.9% Irish and 8.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000 . There were 1,472 households, out of which 47.4% had children under

988-447: The city was $ 17,203. About 6.0% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over. Palmer is most noted in Alaska as the location of the annual Alaska State Fair, where Palmer's agricultural spirit lives on. The Alaska State Fair holds contests for largest vegetable in several categories, and many national and even world records have been recorded at

1026-588: The colony families brought with them Midwest America's small-town values, institutional structures, and a well-planned city center reminiscent of their old hometowns in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Many of the structures built are now in a nationally recognized historic district. Construction of the statewide road system and the rapid development of Anchorage has fueled growth around Palmer. Many Palmer residents commute 45 minutes to work in Anchorage. Palmer

1064-723: The coveted National Baseball Congress championship, in 1987 and 1997. Alaska Raceway Park is a nearby dragstrip. The Valley Steelers, a semi-pro football team within the Alaska Football League, play their home games at Palmer High School. Primary and secondary education in Palmer is a part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District . Within city limits, there are two elementary schools (Swanson Elementary and Sherrod Elementary), one middle school (Palmer Jr. Middle School) and one high school ( Palmer High School ). Palmer High

1102-509: The fair, with the cabbage, radish, spinach and lettuce categories usually dominating local interest. There are rides and festivities, local artists on display, local venders and food trucks, and popular musical artists at the ConcoPhilips Borealis Theatre. In 2008, Scott Robb of Palmer won 1st place and a $ 2,000 prize for his 79.1 lb (35.9 kg) cabbage. Palmer hosts a log cabin Visitor Information Center in

1140-456: The hard hit Iron Range region of Michigan , Minnesota and Wisconsin . Families traveled by train and ship to Palmer, arriving in May 1935. Upon their arrival they were housed in a city tent during their first Alaskan summer. Each family drew lots for 40-acre (160,000 m ) tracts and their farming adventure began in earnest. The failure rate was high, but many of their descendants still live in

1178-543: The heart of downtown that entertains more than 35,000 visitors each year. Each summer, the visitor center employs a full-time gardener to maintain the 2 acres (8,100 m ) of public gardens that showcase more than 600 locally grown plant varieties. The Palmer Museum of History and Art is located in the Visitor Information Center and offers visitors a chance to view artifacts from Palmer's history, provides maps to historical places to see and stocks guidebooks for more information on local attractions. A couple of blocks away from

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1216-505: The letter 's' is used instead of 'f' (as in Dfc ). Palmer has a climate similar to that of Anchorage , although with low temperatures that are on average 1.4 °F (0.8 °C) cooler and highs 0.8 °F (0.4 °C) warmer. On average, over the course of a year, there are 28–29 days of sub-0 °F (−18 °C) lows, 22–23 days of 70 °F (21 °C)+ highs, and 0.8 days of 80 °F (27 °C)+ highs. The town straddles

1254-416: The name of Warton . With railroad accessibility, new markets for agriculture began to open up for farmers in the Matanuska Valley . In one year, Palmer transformed from a mere whistle stop rail siding to a planned community with modern utilities and community services. Eleven million dollars from Federal Emergency Relief Administration was spent to create the town of Palmer and relocate 203 families from

1292-759: The two major old-town cores of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Population of the area has grown dramatically in the past decade; Borough officials estimate the local population at 8,000. Apart from road access, Palmer can be accessed by the Palmer Municipal Airport and the Palmer Depot of the Alaska Railroad . Neither of these has regularly scheduled service. However, when the Alaska State Fair operates,

1330-838: The university. Approximately 900 acres of land destined to become the site of the APU Kellogg Campus was acquired in 1973 from the DeWolf-Kellogg Trust. In November 1978 Alaska Methodist University was renamed Alaska Pacific University. In 2016, APU formed a partnership with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium , indicating an intention to become a tribal college . Undergraduates can pursue liberal arts and sciences programs. APU offers nine graduate programs, eight master's degrees and one doctoral degree. There are also several graduate certificate options. APU also offers

1368-561: The university. The three other buildings on the main campus are offices for the US Geological Survey 's Alaska Volcano Observatory , Alaska Public Media , and the Alaska Spine Institute. There are multiple housing accommodations on the main campus, divided by class year designations. All incoming freshman under 21 years of age are required to live on campus for their first two years. The Atwood Center

1406-406: The volcanoes listed below and more could be added in the future if necessary. 61°11′19″N 149°48′16″W  /  61.18859°N 149.8044°W  / 61.18859; -149.8044 Alaska Pacific University Alaska Pacific University ( APU ) is a private university in Anchorage, Alaska , United States. It was established as Alaska Methodist University in 1957. Although it

1444-571: Was renamed to Alaska Pacific University in 1978, it is still affiliated with the United Methodist Church . The main campus is located adjacent to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and the Alaska Native Medical Center . The university was founded in the late 1950s as Alaska Methodist University by Peter Gordon Gould, an Aleut from Unga, Alaska . Gould became the first Alaska Native minister in

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