Welcome to Tok, Alaska
Tok is the first major community you will encounter upon entering Alaska. Located at the junction of the Alaska Highway and the Tok Cutoff Road to the Glenn Highway, 205 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Tok lies 93 miles from the Canadian border. At 63° 20' N Latitude and 142° 59' W Longitude. Encompassing 133 sq. miles of Terra Firma.
Tok originated as an Alaska Road
Commission Camp for the construction of the Alcan and Glenn Highways in the
1940's. In 1946 Tok was designated a presidential townsite, in that same year
the Alcan was opened to civilians and a post office and roadhouse were built
in the community. The first school was started in 1947 in a room in the Alaska
Road Commission building.
The Tok Dog Mushers was founded in 1954 giving us the slogan of "The Dog Capitol of Alaska", That same year the U.S. Army began construction of the 8" diameter Haines-Fairbanks fuel pipeline with a pump station located here. The pipeline shut down in 1979. TV came to Tok in 1973 as local residents constructed transmitters on Mt Neuberger. In 1976 the U.S. Coast Guard established the Long Range Aide to Navigation ( LORAN ) station . Four 700' towers 6 miles east of the junction transmit radio navigation signals for air and marine traffic in the Gulf of Alaska. The U.S. Customs moved from Tok to its present location ( Milepost 1222 ) in 1971.
Milepost 1324 leads to the Tanacross Indian Village and the Tanacross Airport. The village is located where the Eagle Trail crossed the Tanana River. Sternwheelers once plied the river. The large paved airstrip was constructed during W.W.II to handle aircraft being ferried to Russia. It remains as a base for the summer firefighters and summer stock car / motorcycle races.
Tok has something for everyone. The Tok Dog Mushers association is still active offering fun for everyone including The Tok Race of Champions Sled Dog Race, one of the oldest in the State. is held each March.
The Tok Trailblazers keep everyone 4 wheelings and snowmachining, with a trip most every weekend. The also sponsor the Fourth of July is a big event for residents and visitors to Tok with a parade, floats, contests, games and plenty of good food.
The local Rifle range has produced state champion shooters among our young folk. For those interested in the Arts, there is the Duct Tape radio and Arts and Humainties, providing entertainment monthly.The Boys and Girls club is active year around. We also have an active Lions organization. There are 15 miles of paved bike trails running parallel to the highways, and softball games held most nights at the local field.
Although we have no theater, the Northern Lights are visible August through May of each year.