WHERE WE ARE

ABOUT TOK

Tok is located at the junction of the Alaska Highway and the Tok Cutoff to the Glenn Highway, at 1,635′ elevation, 200 miles southeast of Fairbanks. It is called the “Gateway to Alaska,” as it is the first major community encountered upon entering Alaska from Canada on the Alaska Highway, 93 miles from the Canadian border.

Tok was first established in 1942 as an Alaska Road Commission camp. So much money was spent in the camp’s construction and maintenance that it earned the name “Million Dollar Camp” by those working on the highway. In 1944 a branch of the Northern Commercial Company was opened, and in 1946 Tok was established as a Presidential Townsite.

The area was traditionally Athabascan, although the current population is primarily non-Native. Tok has become known as the “Sled Dog Capital of Alaska.” Although residents have chosen not to incorporate as a municipality, there are numerous local volunteer committees for various community functions and various membership organizations.