Sitka, Alaska

Sitka began as an important Tlingit Indian village called Shee At’ika, which translates roughly as ‘settlement on the outside of Shee’. Shee is the Tlingit name of Baranof Island. In 1799, Alexander Baranof of the Russian American Company, a Colonial trading company, decided to set up camp at what is now called Old Sitka, located 7.5 miles (12 kilometres) north of the present-day town. Baranof called the settlement Redoubt Saint Michael. The Tlingit Indians of the area resisted the occupation and, in 1802, burned the fort and massacred the Russian settlers while Baranof was away. Two years later, Baranof returned and besieged the Tlingits. The Tlingits withdrew, and left the Russians to build a new city on a different site. Baranof named this city New Archangel, or ‘Novoarkhangelsk’. For over six decades, New Archangel was the capital of Russian Alaska. However, by 1867, the Alaskan colony had become too much of a financial burden to Russia. William Seward, U.S. Secretary of State, negotiated with Russia to purchase the Territory of Alaska for $7.2 million. The American press scoffed at Seward and the U.S. government for purchasing what they called ‘Seward’s Folly’, ‘Seward’s Icebox’ and ‘Walrussia’. On October 18, 1867, the Russian flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes raised over the newly-renamed Sitka. It remained the capital of the U.S. Territory of Alaska from 1867 to 1906, when the seat of government was moved to Juneau. The move was a direct result of the Gold Rush. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Sitka became a full-scale naval base. At one point during the war, Sitka’s population totalled 37,000. After World War II ended, however, the city settled into a quieter existence. The biggest boom for Sitka came in 1959 when the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company built a mill near the city. Today, picturesque Sitka is known for fishing and its many historic attractions.

Pier Information

The ship is scheduled to anchor in Sitka. A short walk (approximately 10 minutes) takes you from the tender pier to the city centre.

Shopping

Sitka’s gift shops carry everything from Native to contemporary American art, along with fine gold, gemstone jewellery, souvenirs and Russian heritage gifts. The local currency is the U.S. Dollar.

Cuisine

There are restaurants serving fresh seafood. In the centre of town, you can also find restaurants serving Italian, Mexican, Russian and Chinese cuisine.

Other Sites

The Russian Bishop’s House Located on Lincoln Street across from the west-end of Crescent Harbour, the house was built in 1842 by the Russian American Company as a residence for the bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is one of the oldest examples of Russian architecture in the United States. The Sheldon Jackson Museum This museum contains one of the finest collections of Native arts and crafts and Russian artefacts in Alaska, including indigenous masks, hunting tools, baskets, boats, and sleds.