A Beautiful Day in Ketchikan

Ketchikan, Alaska’s fourth largest city, is on the waterfront, with much of its 3-mile long business district suspended above the water on pilings driven into the bottom on Tongass Narrows. It clings to the steep wooded hillside and has many homes perched on cliffs that can only be reached by climbing long wooden staircases or narrow winding streets. The Waterfront, the center of the city, consists of docks, stores, seaplane floats and three boat harbors.

Ketchikan supports four public grade schools, four parochial grade schools, a junior high, two high schools and the University of Alaska Southeast campus. Also it has nine hotels/motels, numerous Bed & Breakfast establishments, five campgrounds and several Hostels.

Worth a view is the mural on Stedman Street that was created by 21 Native artists in 1978 entitled "The Return of the Eagle". It is 125 feet wide by 18 feet high.

A walk on Creek Street, viewing local artisans and their beautiful creations, admiring the brightly colored flowers, which adorn the exterior of the downtown businesses, or fishing for salmon makes for a beautiful day in Ketchikan.

Quick Tips:

There are many, many tours offered. We chose a private guide with a mini-van who personalized our tour. Born and raised in Ketchikan, our guide had lots of entertaining stories to share with us.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is the best way to get the real flavor of Ketchikan.

Creek Street, a wooden street on piling high above the creek beginning just past the bridge on Stedman Street, was once a famous red-light district. It is comprised of about 20 restored houses that are now shops and local art studios. This includes Dolly’s House, a former brothel. Dolly’s House has been restored as a small museum offering a look into the life and times of the Legendary Big Dolly Arthur, the best-known madame in Ketchikan. Other colorful characters, Black Mary and Frenchie also plied their trade for over half of century until 1954. There is a small admission fee.

From the Bridge on Creek Street we watched the salmon swimming upstream. It was an incredible site, literally thousands and thousands of silver salmon "waiting" their turn to maneuver up the falls to the place where they would spawn.

The Saxman Totem Park was part of our tour and our mini-van guide, a native of Ketchikan, had many interesting stories he shared with us. After touring the town, we drove to the Saxon Totem Park. The Park is open year round and there is no admission charge, but there is a fee for a guided tour, which includes demonstrations at the Carving Center and performances by the Cape Fox Dancers at the Beaver Tribal House. It has a total of 26 totems. Most have not been restored in many years and the colors were very faded but they are still fascinating.

In this Native community, tribal elders and others have worked hard to pass on many of the traditions of their ancestors to new generations, and we had a firsthand opportunity to see the results of these efforts. They eagerly share their history, art and ancestors’ way of life and help unravel the mysteries of the towering, majestic totem poles standing sentry over the present generation.

Our guide told us one unique story regarding the totem pole with Abe Lincoln’s likeness at the top. It is said that several government officials, while touring the Alaskan Wilderness, commissioned this totem pole in honor of the then current President of the U.S. Leaving a picture of Mr. Lincoln, the officials when on their way and return months later to view the masterpiece. Imagine their horror when they saw how short Mr. Lincoln looked. The Indians apparently did not unfold the picture they were given which would have revealed the complete picture of Abe.

One of our traveling companions, a die-hard fisherman, decided to forego the totem tours with us and opted to GO FISHING. He found a place on the waterfront where he could rent equipment and buy bait, and for several hours, he did what he loved to do- FISH. And the fishing was wonderful. He caught a total of 17 beautiful silver salmon. Being a true sportsman, he used the catch and release method. Of course, we accused him of catching the same fish seventeen times. Cost of this priceless fishing experience, including all equipment and bate was $ 12.00 per hour.

There are also many sport fishing expeditions available in the waters surrounding Ketchikan. These tours are usually 4 to 5 hours long and include tackle, fishing gear, bait, rain jacket, snacks and beverages for a cost of $160.00 per person.

Fish of the area include salmon, halibut, steelhead, lingcod and rockfish.

Ketchikan: Alaska’s fourth largest city is located on Revillagigedo Island, 235 miles south of Juneau and 90 miles north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Ketchikan derived its name from a Tlingit Language and there is a long-standing controversy as to it’s meaning. One translation is "the creek of the thundering wings of an eagle". Another is "eagles with spread out wings". The creek flows through the town emptying into the Tongass Narrows and was originally an Indian fishing camp. Settlement of Ketchikan began with interest in mining and fishing with the first salmon cannery opening in 1886.

Gold, silver and copper mining created a booming mining town when gold was discovered nearby in 1898. The mining waned and by 1930 Ketchikan earned the title of "Salmon Capital of the World".

Ketchikan’s annual rainfall makes it one of the wettest spots on the continent. With an average annual rainfall of 169 inches it is also called the "Rain Capital of Alaska". Most of this rain falls during the winter months.

Ketchikan has also been called Alaska’s "First City" because it is the first city along the Inside Passage. However, Ketchikan residents will tell you "First City" refers to its place in their hearts, a place held because of its rich cultural heritage and continuing respect for the influence of the true first residents, the Tlingit Indians.