Clear is located in a remote area with few support facilities in the local area so we take pride in being able to support ourselves. Fairbanks, the closest major town, is a modern town of about 50,000,is approximately 72 miles northeast. Fort Wainwright is located within the city limits of Fairbanks, with Eielson AFB another 20 miles east. Anchorage is about 285 miles south and home to Elmendorf AFB and Fort Richardson Army post.
The small village of Anderson is located six miles from the Clear Air Force Station gate and home to most of the contractors and Air National guard families. Anderson is a small rural community of about 450 people with limited ammenties. Most of the services you may be accustomed to are not available in this area. However, there are still many opportunities to take advantage of the culture in interior Alaska and participate in community activities.
Alaska's Interior Region
Alaska's interior is a vast region, which contains some of the state's most impressive natural wonders. The mighty Yukon, Alaska's longest river flows 1,875 miles from the historic Klondike to the Bering Sea through the middle of the region.
The Denali National Park and Preserve is located just 47 miles south of Clear Air Force Station and is a 6-million-acre national park that contains North America's largest mountain, along with 37 species of animals and 155 species of birds. Visitors to the park often spot brown bears, moose, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, and other wildlife. Many opportunities exist for photographing the wildlife and this awe-inspiring mountain, which towers above the Alaska Mountain Range. Majestic Mount McKinley, original called by its Athabascan Indian name, Denali, meaning "The High One" is a 20,320-foot peak that dominates the region's southern landscape. While in the Park, you may experience activities such as hiking, rafting, flight seeing, kayaking, and guided tours.
Along with the park, visitors enjoy the bubbling mineral waters near Fairbanks at Manley, Circle, and Chena hot springs year round. Winter brings many visitors to these locations where they can enjoy the springs, the northern lights, as well as skiing, snow machining, dog sledding and a host of other adventures.
Fairbanks, Alaska: Before the construction of the Alaska Highway, establishment of military bases, and Alaska joining the Union as the 49th state, Fairbanks was a bustling mining town in the middle of the largest territories in the United States. Felix Pedro, an Italian immigrant, is credited with the initial discovery of gold in 1902. As luck would have it, Captain E.T. Barnette's goal of building a trading post on the banks of the Chena River coincided with key gold strikes north of town. Subsequently, Fairbanks was incorporated by a 75% majority vote on November 10, 1903.
One hundred years later, the small boomtown has grown into a trade and transportation center for Interior and Far North Alaska. A diversified economy with oil, gas, gold and coal mining, military, tourism, and home to the University of Alaska. Fairbanks continues in its role as the services hub and gateway to Alaska's Interior and Arctic. With a population of close to 36,000, Fairbanks is the second largest city.
There are BX/PXs at Ft. Wainwright and Eielson AFB, and the base shoppette can order anything from those stores to be delivered to Clear at no charge to you. Major department stores in Fairbanks include Wal-mart, Fred Meyer's, Sam's Club, Sears, and Gottschalks. Between all of them, you can find just about whatever you need.
North Pole, Alaska: In 1944, bon Davis homesteaded the area 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Dahl and Gaske Development Company later bought the Davis Homestead, subdivided it and named it North Pole. The name was selected to attract the toy industry to manufacture articles made in "North Pole". This endeavor failed to blossom, but North Pole has continued to grow with interest to develop North Pole as a theme city, "Where the spirit of Christmas lives year round". Many streets bear holiday names: Santa Claus Lane, Snowman Lane, Kris Kringle, Mistletoe, Holiday Road, Saint Nicholas Drive, North Star Drive, Blitzen, and Donnor. Streetlights are decorated in candy cane motifs and many buildings are painted with Christmas colors and designs. The Santa Claus house, the "official" home of Santa Claus greets visitors who pass through the city on the Richardson Highway. Live reindeer and Santa Claus himself are available for photographs year round. Each year the community starts the holiday season with a candle lighting ceremony and tree lighting event the first Sunday in December.
Anchorage, Alaska: Anchorage is a city of about 250,000 and is located 285 miles south of Clear. It is a good five-hour drive, but many people at Clear make the trip on a long weekend to enjoy its many restaurants, festivals, stores, and to explore the beautiful Kenai Peninsula. Billeting can usually be found at Elmendorf AFB or Ft. Richardson.
Both Fairbanks and Anchorage have major international airports served by several major airlines. Although a typical round-trip ticket is not cheap, the airlines often run specials during off-season times with very reasonable rates (sometimes around $300 to the west coast).
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