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Ketchikan is located on the west coast of the island of Revillagigedo Island and quite close to Alaska’s southern border with Canada. As a result, Ketchikan is the first city that ferries and cruise ships pass by as they sail north from normally Seattle or Vancouver.
Historically, Ketchikan has been used by local tribes as a fishing ground, and with the natural resources available here, over time, the site also attracted European settlers. They continued fishing and Ketchikan became known as one of the world’s salmon capitals. The spruce trees of the area were turned into countless boxes in which over time the very large production of salmon was packed.
The culture of Indians with the Tlingite tribe as the dominant is also very evident in and around Ketchikan. Here, the world’s largest collection of totem poles is stored and they can be seen in a cultural history museum and at various places in Ketchikan and in the city’s parks. They are an exciting testimony to local history.
Ketchikan’s natural surroundings are also impressive. To the east is the Misty Fjords National Monument, and it is of course not far to the west and the sea. You can try many different activities and experiences; for example, to try your luck and skills of a fishing trip.
Creek Street is probably Ketchikan’s most famous street. Here, beautiful wooden houses lie side by side along the walkways, which is actually paths of wooden planks built as a pavement on top of the site’s rocks and next to the stream, that flows here. It provides a very atmospheric part of town.
In the first half of the 20th century, Creek Street formed Ketchikan’s so-called red light district with several brothels. That era started in 1903, when Ketchikan banned brothels in the city center and had them move to “Indian Town”, which was the area east of the stream at present-day Creek Street. You can take a closer look at that time in Dolly’s House Museum.
The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is a place where you can gain a lot of knowledge about the cultural and natural history of Southeast Alaska. One of the interesting themes is the region’s temperate rainforests and their ecosystem.
You can also take a closer look at the different cultures that have characterized the area, and at the entrance there are totem poles representing the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian tribes. There are also interesting exhibitions about the development of the city’s economy with mining, fishing, forestry and tourism as the most important areas.
The Totem Heritage Center is a museum where you can see totem poles that were moved to here from the region around Ketchikan. The poles are from the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian tribes, and they have been moved from several villages, where there have stood from the 1800s.
The museum is a kind of cultural museum, and you can also see other objects representing the different cultures. The exhibitions provide a good cultural understanding and the opportunity to learn more about local art and the importance of totem pole decoration.
Chief Johnson’s Totem Pole is one of the world’s best-known totem poles. It was erected in a grand ceremony in 1901. The pole stands centrally and prominently in the Creek Street area of Ketchikan.
Chief Johnson had the totem pole erected in honor of his late mother, and on top of the pole you can see the mythological bird, kadjuk, who threw stones at groundhogs, and these stones subsequently became magical with luck for those who found them. Below the bird is a long piece that is not carved, emphasizing the importance of the bird.
Dolly’s House Museum is a place on the idyllic Creek Street where you can experience some of the historic Ketchikan including the city’s red light district, which was right here on the street.
The city banned brothels downtown in 1903, and so the establishments moved to Creek Street, where Dolly’s House Museum is also located. Here fishermen, loggers and miners could entertain themselves in the company of the local ladies until 1954, when Dolly’s closed.
Main Street is Ketchikan’s most important road, and as such it gives a fine impression of the city’s downtown with activities, shops and an atmosphere of Alaska’s beautifully developed provincial towns.
Main Street stretches from the busy tourist streets to the southeast, where many cruise ships are located, to the northwest, where the street ends in an area with several charming wooden houses.
The Tongass Historical Museum is a museum where you can experience the history of Ketchikan and the development from a summer fishing resort to gold rush, salmon capital and tourism. The fine exhibition provides a good introduction to the city through its exciting history.
You can see several historical photographs that give a good impression of Ketchikan’s development through the different eras, and in the changing exhibitions you can see examples of art and culture and, for example, learn more about local people and traditions.
Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is an attraction located close to Ketchikan. Surrounding the city are areas with a temperate climate, and the beautiful nature can be experienced in this sanctuary with cedar trees, fir trees and other interesting flora and fauna of the area.
The Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is located at Herring Cove and you can enjoy walking on the trails here. There is a variety of fishing water and several birds on the site, where you can also see a local sawmill and working artists who, among other things, carves totem poles.
Potlatch Park is a cozy green area along the water at Totem Bight north of Ketchikan. Here you can e.g. see a preserved house from the area’s Native American tribes and several totem poles.
On a visit to Potlatch Park, you can also notice the recreated environments from the time of the Indians in the 19th century and learn more about their way of life and culture through dioramas, active workshops, etc. There is a museum on site as well.
5 Salmon Landing
633 Stedman Street
2417 Tongass Avenue
Main Street, Stedman Street, Front Street, Creek Street
Totem Heritage Center
601 Deermount Street
ktn-ak.us/totem-heritage-center
Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
50 Main Street
alaskacenters.com
The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
420 Spruce Mill Way
alaskanlumberjackshow.com
Historically, Ketchikan Creek has been used by local tribes as a fishing ground. The Tlingit tribe used the well-located location for their summer fishing and, as elsewhere, set up totem poles in various places of importance.
The city of Ketchikan was established by European settlers. It started with Mike Martin’s founding in 1885. Martin had been sent north from Oregon on behalf of a fishmaker who was looking for new, good locations for catch and production.
Mike Martin established a salt shop and a store together with George Clark of Nova Scotia. In the following decades, fishing was very strong and the city grew. A sawmill was established to supply Ketchikan with building material and timber for the many fishing boxes that the city’s large salmon production required.
Later, a pulp mill was invested, giving jobs and a great financial injection to the small community that was growing again. The city grew in numbers and population. The factory was closed in 1997, but jobs were created in new sectors.
In recent years, Ketchikan has become an increasingly popular tourist destination. The city is located as the first port for ferries sailing from Washington to Alaska, and cruise ships have increasingly brought guests into town during the summer season. Today, there are about 8,000 people in Ketchikan.
Overview of Ketchikan
Ketchikan is located on the west coast of the island of Revillagigedo Island and quite close to Alaska’s southern border with Canada. As a result, it is the first city that ferries and cruise ships pass by as they sail north from normally Seattle or Vancouver.
Historically, the city has been used by local tribes as a fishing ground, and with the natural resources available here, over time, the site also attracted European settlers. They continued fishing and Ketchikan became known as one of the world’s salmon capitals. The spruce trees of the area were turned into countless boxes in which over time the very large production of salmon was packed.
About the upcoming Ketchikan travel guide
About the travel guide
The Ketchikan travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the American city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
Ketchikan is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.
Read more about Ketchikan and the USA
Buy the travel guide
Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.
Use the travel guide
When you buy the travel guide to Ketchikan you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.
Creek Street • Totem Poles • Salmon • Museums • Whales • Rainforests
Overview of Ketchikan
Ketchikan is located on the west coast of the island of Revillagigedo Island and quite close to Alaska’s southern border with Canada. As a result, it is the first city that ferries and cruise ships pass by as they sail north from normally Seattle or Vancouver.
Historically, the city has been used by local tribes as a fishing ground, and with the natural resources available here, over time, the site also attracted European settlers. They continued fishing and Ketchikan became known as one of the world’s salmon capitals. The spruce trees of the area were turned into countless boxes in which over time the very large production of salmon was packed.
About the upcoming Ketchikan travel guide
About the travel guide
The Ketchikan travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the American city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
Ketchikan is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.
Read more about Ketchikan and the USA
Buy the travel guide
Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.
Use the travel guide
When you buy the travel guide to Ketchikan you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.
Chief Johnson’s Totem Pole is one of the world’s best-known totem poles. It was erected in a grand ceremony in 1901. The pole stands centrally and prominently in the Creek Street area of Ketchikan.
Chief Johnson had the totem pole erected in honor of his late mother, and on top of the pole you can see the mythological bird, kadjuk, who threw stones at groundhogs, and these stones subsequently became magical with luck for those who found them. Below the bird is a long piece that is not carved, emphasizing the importance of the bird.
Dolly’s House Museum is a place on the idyllic Creek Street where you can experience some of the historic Ketchikan including the city’s red light district, which was right here on the street.
The city banned brothels downtown in 1903, and so the establishments moved to Creek Street, where Dolly’s House Museum is also located. Here fishermen, loggers and miners could entertain themselves in the company of the local ladies until 1954, when Dolly’s closed.
Main Street is Ketchikan’s most important road, and as such it gives a fine impression of the city’s downtown with activities, shops and an atmosphere of Alaska’s beautifully developed provincial towns.
Main Street stretches from the busy tourist streets to the southeast, where many cruise ships are located, to the northwest, where the street ends in an area with several charming wooden houses.
The Tongass Historical Museum is a museum where you can experience the history of Ketchikan and the development from a summer fishing resort to gold rush, salmon capital and tourism. The fine exhibition provides a good introduction to the city through its exciting history.
You can see several historical photographs that give a good impression of Ketchikan’s development through the different eras, and in the changing exhibitions you can see examples of art and culture and, for example, learn more about local people and traditions.
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