The History of Tazlina

Tazlina is located 5 miles south of Glennallen on the Richardson Highway, at mile 110.5. It is comprised of several small residential subdivisions and a business district. Copperville, Aspen Valley, Tazlina Terrace and Copper Valley School Road are all part of this area. It lies at approximately 62° 04' N Latitude, 146° 27' W Longitude (Sec. 21, T003N, R001W, Copper River Meridian). The community is located in the Chitina Recording District. The area encompasses 13 sq. miles of land and 1 sq. miles of water.

The village reportedly was a fishing camp of the Ahtna Indian tribes who historically moved up and down the Copper River and its tributaries. Tazlina is Athabascan for "swift water." By 1900 a permanent village had been established on the north and south banks off the Tazlina River near its confluence with the Copper River. During the pipeline era, Tazlina developed around the old Copper Valley School, built to board students from all over the state. It closed in 1971, when local high schools were constructed in the remote areas of the state and boarding schools were discontinued.

To Community Histories Index Alaska DCCED Community Database Online

History and map graphic used with permission from the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development