June 24, 2010 Ketchikan

Photos will be forthcoming...I promise!

The Tlingit people originally settled this area as a summer fishing camp. The Tlingit name for Ketchikan Creek was recorded in 1881, phonetically as “Kitschkhin”. One translation of the word extends unto resembled the outspread eagles’ wings. Another version says the real name was “Kats’kan” or land belonging to Kats, an early Tlingit chief.

It is said that a white man named Snow was operating a salmon saltery by 1883. Then in 1885 an Irishman named Mike Martin was sent by Portland, Oregon cannery to scout out the shoreline’s economic potential. The creek and surrounding land were owned as a fishing ground and canoe landing beach of the Kyan clan. Martin is said to have purchased 160 acres from a Flathead Indian, known as Papernose Charlie.

Three small canneries were operating by 1885 and the town quickly began to develop around them. Shortly thereafter a post office was established in 1892. By the late 19th century the discovery of gold and copper created a need for a mining supply center. Gold was discovered in the nearby hills and on Prince of Wales Island, and copper was discovered a short time later. Ketchikan quickly became the supply center for all the mines in the surrounding area.

Many people know Ketchikan as the state’s rain capital, with about 162” annually. Nevertheless, Ketchikan does have gloriously sunny days – especially in the summer. The town, population 13,000, occupies a prime spot of the western coast of Revillagigedo Island, or Revilla Island, as residents call it for short. Present-day Ketchikan has a higher concentration of Native Alaskans that any other city in the state. Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian are represented. The town has earned the title Salmon Capital of the World.