Church turns over ownership of Garnet Ledge to Wrangell tribe

The Presbyterian Church, which has had an interest in the Garnet Ledge on the mainland across from Wrangell for 63 years, has turned over ownership to the Wrangell Cooperative Association.

The rules will not change, only the owner. The 39-acre property has been reserved since 1962 for “the children of Wrangell” to collect garnets, which they sell to tourists and at shops around town.

“If anyone goes up there to get garnets, they have to have kids,” said Sandy Churchill, a member of the WCA tribal council.

The church, which managed the property on its own after the Boy Scouts of America relinqu...