Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is a city in Alaska, on Revillagigedo Island. It is the southeasternmost big town in the state and the center of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. The downtown area is a National Historic Landmark District.

The city has about 8,192 people, based on the 2020 census. This makes it the sixth-most populous city in Alaska. If you count nearby areas, the total is around 13,948 people. Ketchikan became a city on August 25, 1900. It is Alaska’s oldest city because other early towns were combined into bigger ones through consolidation or unification.

The city’s name comes from Ketchikan Creek, which runs through town and flows into the Tongass Narrows. In the Tlingit language, the name is Kichx̱áan. No one knows its exact meaning, but it might mean “the river belonging to Kitschk” or “Thundering Wings of an Eagle.”

History

Ketchikan Creek was used by Tlingit natives as a summer fish camp before the town was founded. In 1885, Mike Martin came to the area for an Oregon canning company. He later started a saltery and a general store with George Clark from Nova Scotia.

Ketchikan is called "Alaska's first city" because of its important location at the end of the Inside Passage. This links the Gulf of Alaska to Puget Sound. A mission house was built there in 1905 and became Yates Memorial Hospital in 1909. In 2020, this old hospital was named one of America’s most endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Totem poles

Ketchikan has the most standing totem poles in the world. You can see these tall, carved poles in four places: Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, and the Totem Heritage Center. Many poles at Saxman Totem Park and Totem Bight State Park are newer copies made during the Roosevelt Administration with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Totem Heritage Center has old poles saved from villages near Ketchikan. One special pole, the Chief Kyan pole, is in most US passports. The Chief Johnson totem pole in Ketchikan is the most photographed totem pole in Alaska.

Geography

You can see downtown Ketchikan and the land around it from the top of Deer Mountain. Pennock Island separates part of the water called the Tongass Narrows. Far away across the water is Gravina Island.

Ketchikan is in the far southern part of Alaska on Revillagigedo Island. It is about 700 miles northwest of Seattle, Washington and 235 miles southeast of Juneau, Alaska. The city is surrounded by forests and near a narrow waterway called the Tongass Narrows. This waterway is part of a sea route known as the Inside Passage.

The land around Ketchikan is very steep and covered in trees. Because of this, the city stretches out mostly along the water. The city's downtown sits close to the water, with most homes and buildings only a few blocks away. Deer Mountain towers above the city to the east.

The United States Census Bureau says Ketchikan covers about 5.9 square miles. Of this, 4.4 square miles is land and 1.5 square miles is water. The airport is on Gravina Island, separated from the city by a half-mile wide channel called the Tongass Narrows.

Climate

Ketchikan has a mild maritime climate and is often called the "Rain Capital of Alaska" because it rains and has clouds a lot. The city gets rain all year, even in its driest month. Winters are chilly but not very cold, with average temperatures around 35.6 °F (2.0 °C). Summers are mild, with average temperatures around 59.0 °F (15.0 °C). The city usually gets rain about 149.54 inches (3,798 mm) each year, mostly in autumn and winter.

Demographics

Ketchikan started as a small village with 40 people in 1890. By 1900, it became an official city.

In the 2020 census, Ketchikan had 8,192 people. About 22% were younger than 18, and 16% were 65 or older. Most people lived in urban areas.

In 2010, the city had 8,050 people. The largest groups were White at 60.7%, followed by Native American at 16.7%, and Asian at 10.8%. Many families lived together, while others lived alone.

Most people spoke English, with some speaking Tagalog, Spanish, or Tsimshian.

Media

Ketchikan has four radio stations: KTKN-AM 930, KGTW-FM 106.7, KFMJ-FM 99.9, and community-owned NPR-affiliated KRBD-FM 105.3.

The city has one over-the-air television station, KUBD, which is a CBS network affiliate. Local cable television shows public meetings, Southeast Alaska, Ketchikan High School sports, local history, gardening, and community events. It also carries television signals from Seattle and Anchorage.

Government and infrastructure

See also: List of mayors of Ketchikan, Alaska

The City of Ketchikan uses a council-manager style of government. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough covers the City of Ketchikan and the City of Saxman, stretching over more than 6,000 square miles (16,000 km²) from the Canada–US border to near Wrangell. The Alaska Marine Highway System has its main office in Ketchikan.

Ketchikan has been home to several important political leaders in Alaska's history. In the early days, Norman Ray "Doc" Walker became the first career member of the Alaska Legislature. He served in the territorial Senate for many years. Another notable figure is Terry Gardiner, who was the youngest person ever elected to the Alaska House of Representatives.

The United States Coast Guard has a major base south of downtown Ketchikan.

One of Ketchikan's ZIP codes, 99950, is the highest numbered ZIP code in the United States.

Economy and industries

Ketchikan's economy is based on fishing, tourism, government jobs, and forestry. Many people work in these areas, especially in the summer when more tourists visit. The city is called the "Salmon Capital of the World" and welcomes many visitors each year, especially from cruise ships.

In the past, Ketchikan had a lumber mill that gave people jobs, but it closed in 1997. Today, the area still attracts tourists and supports jobs through fishing and other industries. The nearby Misty Fiords National Monument and Tongass National Forest also draw visitors and help local businesses.

Transportation

Ketchikan is an important place for travel in southern Southeast Alaska. The Ketchikan International Airport offers flights to many places, including Seattle, Juneau, Sitka, Wrangell, and Anchorage. It also has flights to smaller towns nearby.

Ketchikan has ferry services too. Big ships travel along the coast to other towns in Alaska and to places like Prince Rupert, British Columbia and Bellingham, Washington. There are also shorter trips on smaller ferries from nearby islands.

Education

The Ketchikan campus of the University of Alaska Southeast started from Ketchikan Community College in the late 1980s. It is in Ketchikan's West End neighborhood and has two buildings named after important local people.

Public schools in the area include Ketchikan High School and Schoenbar Middle School, along with other schools in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District.

Health care

Ketchikan and nearby areas receive medical care from the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center. This hospital is open every day to help anyone who needs it.

Sister cities and twin towns

Further information: List of twin towns and sister cities in the United States

• Palm Desert, California
• Kanayama, Gifu, Japan [former]

Ketchikan used to have a sister city called Kanayama in Japan. In 2004, Kanayama joined with other towns to become part of a bigger city named Gero. Students and teachers still visit each other every year. Students from Ketchikan go to Kanayama in the summer, and students from Kanayama come to Ketchikan in the spring. They stay with families, go to school, and explore the area.

In popular culture

Some movies like The Silver Horde, Spawn of the North, Timber Tramps, and Cry Vengeance were filmed in Ketchikan. TV shows such as The Love Boat and Baywatch also showed the city. In 2009, an episode of Mythbusters was filmed there.

In the TV series The Young Pope, some cardinals go to Ketchikan as a punishment. The city appears in Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman and is where the Badd Brothers book series is set.

Notable people

Ketchikan has been home to many interesting people. Danny Edwards is a professional golfer. Nathan Jackson is a famous Tlingit artist known for carving totem poles. Roy Jones was the first person to fly commercially in Alaska. Jerry Mackie is an Alaska state legislator and businessman who was born in Ketchikan. Jack McBride also served as a legislator and city council member. Actress Tallie Medel was born there as well.

Frank Murkowski, a former United States Senator and Governor of Alaska, grew up in Ketchikan. His daughter, Lisa Murkowski, who also became a U.S. Senator, was born in the city. Actor Rudy Pankow was born in Ketchikan too. William Paul was an important Tlingit leader and the first Alaska Native to become an attorney and serve in the Alaska Territorial legislature. Artist Ray Troll is known for his unique drawings that mix art and science. Don Watts is a farmer and entrepreneur from the area.