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Ketchikan,Sporting Ladies & a Raven that Steals the Sun & Moon

© Mary Ellen Bradshaw

Ketchikan

The Spanish explorers were the first to come to Ketchikan in the seventeen hundreds, but Irish pioneer Mike Martin was the one who built the city on a foundation of rich fisheries. He "bought" 640 acres from the first local Indians and Ketchikan was incorporated in 1900 on the site of a Tlingit fishing camp.

Although fishing was the reason for its origins, the Yukon Gold Rush, the 1899 Gold Strike in the Ketchikan area, was instrumental in its quick maturity. More recently, during WW2, Ketchikan became the center for pulp and paper. Now, two fish cold storage plants, two canneries, the processing of pulp, wood and tourism provide employment and prosperity to the region.

Ketchikan is the southern most city of Alaska on the Inside Passage. It is 650 miles north of Seattle situated on Tongass sound. The city sits on pilings over the water and clings to the hillsides of Revillagigedo Island. The population is 15,000 people and it is known by many names including Totem Town, because it has the largest collection of totems poles. It also has the largest First Nations population. Native culture is evident, with native dance perfomances, cultural centers, carving and artifact exhibits.

Ketchikan has also has been called King Salmon Capital, of the World because its calm waters provide very good salmon fishing. It is also the Rain Capital of Alaska, because of its 150-plus inches of rain annually, which makes it the wettest city in southern Alaska.

It is pouring rain as we leave the ship for a look at Ketchikan, My mother and I search out a taxi. The driver is very friendly and knowledgeable. She is very proud of her city and agrees to take us on a tour. This unique excursion includes a short drive to four private gardens, to the local school, the town jail -- which houses a murderer -- and my mother procures permission for a quick drive through the Saxman Tribal Village. We were not allowed to take pictures because tourists pay for a tour there.

Our driver also takes us to a place that eagles frequent, hundreds of them. She drives down a narrow, wooden alley, built on a pier to view the oldest house in Ketchikan and to see the ruins of an old cannery. We visit Creek Street, and take a lovely drive along the tree shaded Ketchikan Creek. The tour personal and delightful, as she regales us with gossip and tales of her beloved city.