Ketchikan, Alaska Travel Information

Famous for salmon for over a hundred years!

"Where the Eagles' Wings Are"

Derived from the Tlingit word “Kitcxan,” Ketchikan’s name means “Where the eagles’ wings are.” The Tlingits, who used the banks of Ketchikan Creek as a fish, were the area’s first inhabitants. Even to this day, the area is still a prime fishing ground.

Ketchikan History

Ketchikan’s white settlement began in 1883, when a man named Snow established a salmon saltery. In 1885, a Portland, Oregon businessman hired Mike Martin, a footloose Irishman, to investigate the possibility of building a salmon cannery on Ketchikan Creek’s banks. The cannery opened in 1886. By the early 20th century, Martin and his cannery manager opened a general store and saltery. At that time, the fishing trade flourished and mining of the area’s precious ores began. With a population of 800, the town incorporated in 1900. The town’s residents elected Martin its first mayor.

After incorporation, Ketchikan grew quickly. Residents hired police and families cut into the forest to build homes. The brothels, originally in the north end of town, relocated to Creek Street, south of Ketchikan Creek, where they would remain for the next fifty years. In 1917, after Ketchikan passed the “Bone Dry Law,” Creek Street’s layout, which included pilings over the water, became the place for trapdoor liquor deliveries and riotous consumption of alcohol.

Ketchikan has always adapted well to the changing times. After mining declined, the timber and fishing industries started to flourish. Ketchikan Spruce Mills began in the early 20th century. The year 1954 saw the establishment of the Ketchikan Pulp Mill, providing more jobs to the community. The logging industry has nearly disappeared today, but the fishing and tourism industries remain strong.

Misty Fjords:

You may want to spend a few hours letting your eyes feast from the viewpoint of a float plane as you experience the magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument. Often called "The Grand Canyon of Alaska", this is an awesome area of pristine wilderness where sheer glacier carved granite cliffs plunge dramatically into icy blue waters. The U.S. Forest Service maintains recreational cabins and there are trails for hikers.

Freshwater Fishing:

Chartered and fly-in fishing trips to fresh water lakes and rivers may be arranged to accommodate the ambitions of even our most definitive guests.

Whale Spotting:

In spring, pods of Killer Whales and Humpback Whales can be seen swimming northbound through Tongass Narrows. Closer to town it is also possible to see the occasional sea lion, porpoise and seal.

Boating / Diving:

If you feel like going deep underwater, the Wind & Water Dive Center rents and sells equipment for undersea exploration. If you're a sailor, the Ketchikan Ocean Racing Circuit has several classes for competitive racing, held several times a year.

Hiking:

Hiking in Ketchikan is a fantastic activity. The Ketchikan Outdoor Recreation and Trails Coalition works with government agencies to construct, design, and improve the trails that surround Ketchikan, Alaska. There are miles and miles of picturesque trails winding around and through the area, from alpine country to high mountaintops, valleys to stormy seas.