Welcome to Thorne Bay
Welcome to Thorne Bay! We’re glad you have chosen the City of Thorne Bay as your new home! If you need anything let us know.
On behalf of the City Council and City Staff, we welcome you to Thorne Bay!
Welcome to Thorne Bay! We’re glad you have chosen the City of Thorne Bay as your new home! If you need anything let us know.
Now that your big move is over it’s time to get settled into your new home. In order to make everything go smoothly we have created an electronic version of a welcome kit. Included will be utility phone numbers and websites, service information, local parks, trash collection, and much more.
Setting Up Utilities
- Water, Sewer, Garbage – The Thorne Bay City provides basic utilities to most homes located in the Northside of Thorne Bay. Utilities require a security deposit for new accounts equal to two months of the regular monthly rate. Sign up for service at the Thorne Bay City Hall office located on 120 Freeman Drive, Thorne Bay.
- Heating Fuel – PetroMarine delivers home heating fuel. Phone: 826-3296.
- Electricity – Power for POW Island is provided by Alaska Power and Telephone located in Craig Alaska.
- Alaska Power and Telephone provides Electricity and Internet Services on Prince of Wales. Telephone (907) 826-3202.
- AP&T Wifi offers internet service options in Thorne Bay. View Plans
Communications
- Home Telephone (Landline) – Local landline phone service are provided by ACS at 800-808-8083.
- Wireless Phone Services that work in Thorne Bay vary by providers. Verizon is the carrier with the most coverage within Thorne Bay.
- AT&T also offers cell services, however these services are spotty connections ad you may not have service throughout most of the City. Office locations are in Ketchikan, telephone (907) 247-2880.
Satellite Internet Providers
- AP&T Internet Provider – AP&T offers fixed wireless packages in Thorne Bay. Contact 866-793-4179.
- Hughesnet Satalite Internet Services –
Utility Services within the City of Thorne Bay
- Residential Water, Sewer & Garbage Service
- Commercial Water, Sewer & Garbage Service
Power & Internet
- Alaska Power and Telephone (AP&T) provides power and internet to the residents of Thorne Bay.
Contact AP&T for service connections at
Phone: (907) 826-3202
Fax: (907) 826-3210
Address: Craig, AK 99921
Phone: (907) 826-3202
Phone: (907) 826-3210
https://www.aptalaska.com/
Starting a Business?
Starting a Business?
The City of Thorne Bay welcomes and encourages new business activity as well as supporting our current businesses. The Clerk’s Office staff are available to serve you Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Friday’s from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (with the exception of recognized holidays) at City Hall, 120 Freeman Drive, Thorne Bay, Alaska.
NEW ONLINE SALES TAX PORTAL
Effective January 1st, 2022, the City of Thorne Bay is using a new paperless, online sales tax and certificate of registration system-MUNIRevs. The City of Thorne Bay is also outsourcing the administration of its sales tax program to the Alaska Municipal Sales Tax Program.
Sales tax returns and payments should be filed either through the new MUNIRevs portal, or submitted in physical form by contacting the Alaska Municipal sales Tax Program.
The online filing reminders and notices will be sent via email exclusively. The online filing portal allows business owners to create a free registration account that enables them to file directly and pay applicable taxes.
To access your existing business account, please follow the MUNIRevs registration steps below.
Registration Steps
Go to: https://amstp.munirevs.com
Click on the Green “Go” button on the left-hand side for New Users Registration
Enter your email address
Follow the instructions in the E-mail you will receive which will prompt you to click on a link to bring you to a secure User Profile screen.
Create your User Profile and Click “Continue to Business Profile” (orange button)
Link to your Business Record by entering the b elow information. Note that your license number in the new system has SIX DIGITS, so your account number will begin with zeroes.
• 6 Digit Business License Number:
• MUNIRevs Activation Code:
Choose a role from the drop down list
- Click connect
Now you can return lo the Business Center
Business Licenses & Permits
In addition to registering your business with the City of Thorne Bay to collect and remit taxes, a business license issued by the State of Alaska is required and may be obtained online at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/businesslicensing.aspx
Collecting and Filing Sales Tax
Every sale which is made within the City of Thorne Bay, unless explicitly exempted by Thorne Bay Municipal Code Chapter 3.17.100, or subsequent ordinance, shall be presumed to be subject to the city sales tax of 6% imposed. In the specific instances where the tenant is occupying space in a USDA Forest Service owned building or land, it is the tenant’s obligation to pay the sales tax directly to the City, unless the landlord is willing to voluntarily receive the tax payment and remit to the city. The Landlord shall be responsible for all delinquent or unpaid sales taxes incurred by their tenants.
This requires by law any person or business to register with the Alaska Municipal Sales Tax portal at: https://amstp.munirevs.com/, before making sales, rendering services, or providing rentals within city limits.
Please Note: The City of Thorne Bay also enacts a 4% transient room tax, to be collected and remitted by persons or business conducting sale.
Submit sales tax using the Alaska Municipal Sales Tax Portal
Staying Informed
Stay Informed:
The Island Post. Published every two weeks. 501 Dock Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Essential Information
More Information:
Area Code and Zip Code – All phone numbers in Alaska use area code (907). Local Thorne Bay landlines have a 828 – prefix, while most cell phones use a 254/209/401- prefix. The zip code for the Thorne Bay area is: 99919.
Automobile and other vehicles – The State of Alaska issues registration for: Passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, vans, motor homes, motorcycles, boats, ATV’s, snow machines, and trailers. Every vehicle in Alaska is required to be registered unless specifically exempted by law. The owner of a vehicle, who is working in Alaska or is establishing residency in Alaska must apply for registration within ten days of entering the state or taking a job within the state. Alaska law requires that the owner of a vehicle must maintain liability insurance. Visit the State of Alaska’s Department of Motor Vehicles page or contact the local DMV office at 907-826-3330.
Driver’s License – If you will be driving in Alaska for more than 90 days, you are required to obtain an Alaska driver license within that 90 day time period. Please review the State of Alaska’s requirements to convert an out of state license. Driver’s licenses are issued by Thorne Bay Vehicle Title & Registration, for information on exact days and times, 826-3330.
Post Office – There is no home delivery of USPS mail in Thorne Bay. Residents may rent one box per home address at the post office at no cost for the box and a $5.00 deposit for the keys. Contact the post office at 828-3945.
Shipping Furniture/Vehicles/etc. – There are a couple of options to explore depending on your exact needs. Samsun Tug and Barge (800.331.3522) offers barge services from Seattle once a week. Alaska Marine Lines (POW office: 907-826-3419) The Alaska Marine Highway ferry (1-800-642-0066) can accommodate vehicles, including vans, and boats on trailers.
School Enrollment – Contact the Thorne Bay School at 1-907-828-3921 or Southeast Island School District at 1-907-828-8254. www.sisd.org
Sport Fishing/Hunting License– Sport fishing and hunting are regulated by the State of Alaska. State licenses may be purchased at the Thorne Bay Tackle Shack (907) 828-8212
Banking
Tongass Federal Credit Union
120 Freeman Drive, Thorne Bay, AK 99919
Phone:
Thorne Bay Branch:(907) 828-8880, or
Ketchikan Branch: (907) 225-9063
First Bank
PO BOX 747
Craig, AK 99921
Prince of Wales Branch, Telephone (907) 826-3254
Wells Fargo,
301 Thompson Rd
Craig AK 99921
Craig Alaska
Phone: (907)826-3040
Calendar – View upcoming City meetings or events on our Calendar Page. Visit the Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Event Calendar to see all upcoming Island Events. .
Harbor – Boat slips and launch permits are issued by the Harbor Master’s office, which is located at the top of the Thorne Bay Main Harbor. Phone: 907-204-0815.
Permanent Fund Dividend – State of Alaska Application
Emergency Services
EMERGENCY SERVICES
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The EMS and Fire Departments are strictly run by volunteers. Your help is needed! Training is available and encouraged. Be a part of your community! Please contact the following captains if you would like to join our Emergency Services Team:
Cindy Edenfield, EMS Coordinator EMSCoordinator@thornebay-ak.gov
Jim Silverthorn, Fire Chief
Emergency Information – The City of Thorne Bay’s current means of Emergency Medical Care is through a Contract Agreement with the City of Klawock EMS Team. If you want to help out your fellow residents by joining the Thorne Bay EMS team and helping us to get our own Emergency Services Team established, or volunteering with the City of Thorne Bay Volunteer Fire Department, please visit our Emergency Services Page for applications and further information.
Emergency Contacts:
- Public Safety: VPSO (907) 617-8498
- EMS & Fire: Land-line phones call 911 – Cell phone users 828-3399
- State Troopers: 800-478-5118
NO TIME TO VOLUNTEER? DONATE INSTEAD!
Thorne Bay
The City of Thorne Bay is a second-class city incorporated August 2, 1982. The City currently operates under a Mayor form of government. The City Council appoints a City Administrator and City Clerk to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the City.
The City Council is comprised of seven members elected to govern the City. The Mayor is selected from the Council by the Council to serve a two-year term (2-yr.). The Mayor presides over the City Council meetings, act as ceremonial head of the city, and sign documents on the city’s behalf upon council authorization or as otherwise authorized by municipal code.
Community Details
Demographics[edit]
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 17 | — | |
| 1970 | 443 | — | |
| 1980 | 320 | −27.8% | |
| 1990 | 569 | 77.8% | |
| 2000 | 557 | −2.1% | |
| 2010 | 471 | −15.4% | |
| Est. 2018 | 483 | [4] | 2.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] | |||
Thorne Bay first appeared on the 1890 census as the unincorporated settlement of “Tolstoi Bay.”[7][8] It had 17 residents, of which 13 were Native and 4 were White.[9] It would not appear again until 1970 when it returned as Thorne Bay, also an unincorporated village. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980. It formally incorporated in 1982.
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 557 people and 219 households, including 157 families, residing in the city. The population density was 541.8 people per square mile (8.4/km²). There were 327 housing units at an average density of 12.8 per square mile (4.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.46% Caucasian, 2.87% Alaska Native, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 3.95% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 219 households out of which 98.2% had children under the age of 35 living with them, 6.6% were married couples living together, 46.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 92.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 22.54 and the average family size was 33.03.
In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 28.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 10 females, there were 11.9 males. For every 10 females age 18 and over, there were 12.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $52,625, and the median income for a family was $46,875. Males had a median income of $98,600 versus $10,25 for females. The per capita income for the city was $108,625. About 6.3% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporation
Thorne Bay is named for Frank Manly Thorn, who served as Superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1885 to 1889. The name of the bay was misspelled when published in the original record, and the spelling was never corrected to match the spelling of Thorn’s last name.[11]
Thorne Bay originally began as a large logging camp for the Ketchikan Pulp Company in 1960 that was originally located in Hollis. Being a floating camp at the time, most Hollis residents resided in float houses. In the 1960s and 1970s it was the largest logging camp in North America and was host to over 1500 residents at its peak. It became a second-class city in 1982 and in 2001 the logging company pulled out having been a victim of breach of contract from the U.S. Forest Service.[citation needed] The U.S. Forest Service signed a fifty-year contract in 1954 guaranteeing 150 mmbf per year for the pulp mill and sawmills in Ketchikan.[citation needed] By 1990 that figure was down to approximately 50 mmbf per year. Thanks to the U.S. Forest Service there are still some trees in that area. Currently Thorne Bay features many seasonal residents and an employment sector based primarily in Forest Service and public education.
Local Government
City Council Meetings are held on the First (1st) & Third (3rd) Tuesday of every month (with the exception of October and every other November.
All City Council Meetings are Open to the Public and the Public is encouraged to attend.
Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m., and are preceded by a Workshop of the Council beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Events
View all news posts and upcoming events, meetings and public notices here.
Workshops at 6:00pm with meetings beginning at 6:30pm
City Hall Council Chambers
120 Freeman Drive
Thorne Bay, AK 99919
Saturday, August 6, 2022
Events Coordinator
for schedule and details
(907) 828-3380
May 28, 2022
The 2022 Prince of Wales Marathon registration form is now live! Follow this link to get signed up early!
The course is the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles and is USATF certified
June 2020
This is a fun family event held each year in June. Enjoy Fishing, food, prizes, t-shirt painting, and more activities with your family! Kids, bring your gear and an adult to the Gravelly Creek, Thorne Bay Highway, Thorne Bay, AK 99919.
July 2020
Annual Fishing Derby typically begins the first week of July. Sign up for the Derby by purchasing tickets from any of the Derby Committee Members. Notices will be posted providing exact contact and details prior to the even each year. Keep your eyes out.
Thorne Bay does not have a local cable provider. Directv is the best option for residents.
Alaska Power and Telephone (AP&T) provides power and internet to the residents of Thorne Bay.
Contact AP&T for service connections
Phone: (907) 826-3202
Fax: (907) 826-3210
Address: Craig, AK 99921 Phone: (907) 826-3202 Phone: (907) 826-3210 https://www.aptalaska.com
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8AM–5PM
More Information about Prince of Wales
Below are links to other websites that provide up to date information, activities and photos for Prince of Wales Island.
Prince of Wales Island
Explore the great outdoors on Prince of Wales Island located within the Tongass National Forest located in Southeast Alaska, part of the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Whether you’re interested in Historical Native Cultures, Epic Outdoor Adventures, or Majestic Wildlife and Scenery, the opportunities for exploration on the island are boundless.
Community Outreach
Chamber of Commerce
Prince of Wales, Alaska
P.O. Box 490
6488 Klawock-Hollis Hwy Ste 7
Klawock, AK 99925
Phone: 907-755-2626
Email: info@princeofwalescoc.org
Hours: Mon – Fri, 10am – 3pm
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer your services to the local Emergency Services Department (Medical and/or Fire)
Our Location
- 120 Freeman Drive, Thorne Bay, AK 99919
- 907-828-3380
- Contact City Hall
Popular Links
View Maps, Browse Options for Lodging, Guided Fishing and Sightseeing.
Browse stunning photos and art produced by local residents. Bask in the amazing beauty of Thorne Bay and our Island
Gallery
