Sitka is a place where stories of the past come to life, and history is tucked into every corner. The Tlingit settled in the area thousands of years ago, living off of the land and the sea. They established and named the town Sheet’ka, which was later Anglicized to Sitka. Russians first arrived in 1799 in search of sea otter pelts for the lucrative fur trade. After several fierce, back-and-forth battles with the Tlingit, the Russians finally established a colony in 1804. This fortified settlement was named “New Archangel” and served as the capital of Russian America and the center of their worldwide fur trade. New Archangel became the most populated city on the West Coast, and was nicknamed the ‘Paris of the Pacific’ due to its culture of high society. Castle Hill was the site of the ceremonial transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States on October 18th 1867, and it still shows the remnants of Russian rule. Sitka commemorates the transfer each year with a week-long Alaska Day Festival that culminates on October 18th with a parade and reenactment
Alaska Day Festival - © James Poulson
ceremony. Besides being the birthplace of the Alaska Territory, Sitka also served as its capital for nearly 40 years. Those who desire to immerse themselves in both famous and lesser-known stories of Sitka will be delighted with the Sitka Historical Museum, where the Tlingit, Russian, and American eras spring to life through exhibits and artifacts. With such a diverse history, it’s no wonder that Sitka boasts 22 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
St. Michael’s Cathedral - © Mercedes Angerman
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