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Additional Information pages for Prince of Wales Island
135° 20' W Longitude - 57° 03' N Latitude
Sitka is located on the west coast of Baranof Island fronting the
Pacific Ocean, on Sitka Sound. An extinct volcano, Mount Edgecumbe,
rises 3,200 feet above the community. It is 95 air miles southwest
of Juneau, and 185 miles northwest of Ketchikan.
Climate:
January temperatures average 23 to 35 degrees Far. and summers average
48 to 61 degrees Far.. Average annual precipitation is 94 inches.
 History:
Sitka was originally inhabited by a major tribe of Tlingits,
who called the village "Shee Atika." It was discovered by the Russian
Vitus Bering expedition in 1741, and the site became "New Archangel"
in 1799. St. Michael's Redoubt trading post and fort were built
here by Alexander Baranof, manager of the Russian American company.
Tlingits burned down the fort and looted the warehouse in 1802.
In 1804, the Russians retaliated by destroying the Tlingit Fort,
in the Battle of Sitka. This was the last major stand by the Tlingits
against the Russians, and the Indians evacuated the area until about
1822. By 1808, Sitka was the capital of Russian Alaska. Baranof
was Governor from 1790 through 1818. During the mid-1800s,
Sitka was the major port on the north Pacific coast, with ships
calling from many nations. Furs destined for European and Asian
markets were the main export, but salmon, lumber and ice were also
exported to Hawaii, Mexico and California. After the purchase of
Alaska by the U.S. in 1867, it remained the capital of the Territory
until 1906, when the seat of government was moved to Juneau. A Presbyterian
missionary, Sheldon Jackson, started a school, and in 1878 one of
the first canneries in Alaska was built in Sitka. During the early
1900s, gold mines contributed to its growth. During World War II,
the town was fortified and the U.S. Navy built an air base on Japonski
Island across the harbor, with 30,000 military personnel and over
7,000 civilians. After the war, the BIA converted some of the buildings
to be used as a boarding school for Alaska Natives, Mt. Edgecumbe
High School. The U.S. Coast Guard now maintains the air station
and other facilities on the Island. A large pulp mill began operations
at Silver Bay in 1960, and closed in 1993.
Today, Sitka is a non-Native community but is also home to Tlingits,
Haidas, Eskimos and Aleuts. Russian influences, arts and artifacts
remain a part of the local color. The economy is diversified
with fishing, fish processing, tourism, government, transportation,
retail, and health care services. There are several hotels,
motels, restaurants, bed & breakfast, campgrounds, grocery and
retail stores, a hospital, and numerous services.
Points of interest:
Pioneer house:
Located at the corner of Lincoln and Katlian Streets, is a historic
house built in 1934. Local crafts are sold in the shop.
Isabelle Miller Museum:
Located in the Centennial Building, has exhibits on Sitka's history
and local people, russian painting, and a 8 foot square scale model
of Sitka. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm in summer; and from 10 am to 4
pm Tuesday through Saturday in winter.
Sheldom Jackson Museum:
Located at 104 College Drive, on the Campus, exhibits a very nice
collection of Native Arts and Crafts collected by missionary Sheldom
Jackson. The museum is now owned by the State of Alaska.
Open daily in summer from 8 am to 5 pm. Open Tuesday through
Saturday in winter from 10 am to 4 pm.
Baranof Castle Hill:
Located on the south side of the bridge, was the castle where Alaska
was sold from the Russian to the United States on October 18, 1867
and changed hands. There is a walkway to the hill that used to have
a castle.
Native Community House:
It was constructed in traditional Nakaahidi design and preserve
the Tlingit Culture. It is the Performing Art Center which
offer Tlingit stories and dances. There is also exhibit on
the local Native Culture.
Saint Michael's Cathedral:
Located in downtown Sitka on Lincoln Street, was the capital of
Alaska before Russian sold the land to United States. The cathedral
was built in 1844-1848 under the direction of bishop Innocent Veniaminov.
It is an example of the Russian Orthodox Church Architecture.
The cathedral was destroyed by fire in early 1966 and rebuilt in
exact replica with several historic item saved by local residents.
Open daily from June 1st to September 30th from 11am to 3 pm.
Totem Square:
Located across Katlian Street, has 3 large anchors found in Sitka
Harbor and believed to be from the 18th century British, some Russian
canoe and a totem.
Russian Blockhouse:
Located beside Pioneer's Home, is the exact replica of the blockhouse
that separated Russian and Tlingit after they moved back from the
battle of 1804.
Visit the local cemeteries:
1. The Finnish Lutheran Cemetery: located on Princess Way, holds
the grave of several important personages of the Sitka history,
such as the Princess Maskutov, wife of Alaska's last Russian Governor.
2. The Old Russian Cemetery: located behind the Pioneers'
Home. Grave from the Russian Orthodox Church.
3.The Sitka National Cemetery: located on Sawmill Creek Road.
It was the only National Cemetery west of the rockies until WW II.
Numerous veterans' grave and notable Alaskans are buried here.
Sitka National Historic Park:
Located at the end of Lincoln Street, reflect the Russian and Tlingits
Indian cultures in 2 units, a Fort Site and a Russian Bishop House.
Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm June through September, and only on
week-days between 8 am to 5 pm from October through May. Tours are
available.
Harrigan Centennial Hall:
located on Harbor Drive near the boat harbor, is used for banquets,
music festivals, Russian dancing performances, and conventions.
The main Hall overlook Sitka Sound.
Old Sitka Site:
Located 7.5 miles on Halibut Point Road, the first Russian Settlement
in the area was found there in 1799; now registered as a National
Historic Landmark. The landmark was known as Fort Archangel
Michael prior the Tlingit attack in 1802 that destroyed the Fort
and killed most of its occupants.
The O'Connell's Bridge:
Connecting Japonski Island with Sitka, was the first cable stayed,
grider span bridge in the United State. Excellent view of Sitka
and the Harbor from the bridge.
Local Facilities:
- Starrigavan
Campground:
Located
7.8 mile off Halibut Point Road, has 32 sites, 2 picnic sites,
toilets, water and tables. Limited to 14 days on a first come
first serve only.
- Sealing Cove Campground:
Located
on Japonski Island, near the Sealing Cove Boat Harbor, has 26
RV's sites with water and electrical hookups. Operated by the
City and Borough, limited to 15 days.
- Sawmill Creek
Campground:
Located
on Blue Lake Road, off Sawmill Creek Road, has 11 sites, toilets
and water. No garbage service available, limited to 14 days.
Visit the town of Tenakee
Springs
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