Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is a city in Alaska, located on Revillagigedo Island. It is the southeasternmost major settlement in the state and serves as the borough seat of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Downtown Ketchikan is recognized as a National Historic Landmark District.

According to the 2020 census, Ketchikan has a population of 8,192, making it the sixth-most populous city in Alaska. When including surrounding areas and smaller communities, the total population reaches 13,948. The city was incorporated on August 25, 1900, and remains the oldest incorporated city in Alaska because other early cities were dissolved through consolidation or unification.

The city’s name comes from Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town and empties into the Tongass Narrows. In the Tlingit language, the name is Kichx̱áan; its original meaning is uncertain but could refer to “the river belonging to Kitschk” or “Thundering Wings of an Eagle.”

History

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

Ketchikan earned the name "Alaska's first city" because of its important location at the end of the Inside Passage, linking the Gulf of Alaska to Puget Sound. A mission house was built there in 1905 and turned into 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 is home to the largest collection of standing totem poles in the world. You can find these tall, carved poles in four main places: Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, and the Totem Heritage Center. Many of the poles at Saxman Totem Park and Totem Bight State Park are newer versions of older poles, made during the Roosevelt Administration with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Totem Heritage Center shows old poles saved from villages near Ketchikan. One special pole, the Chief Kyan pole, appears in most US passports. The Chief Johnson totem pole in Ketchikan is known as the most photographed totem pole in Alaska.

Geography

A view of downtown Ketchikan and the land around it can be seen from the top of Deer Mountain. Pennock Island separates part of the water called the Tongass Narrows on one side, and far away across the water is Gravina Island.

Ketchikan is found 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, which is part of a sea route known as the Inside Passage.

Because the land around Ketchikan is very steep and covered in trees, the city stretches out mostly along the water. The city's downtown sits close to the water, with most homes and buildings no more than a few blocks away. Deer Mountain towers above the city to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ketchikan covers about 5.9 square miles, of which 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, often called the "Rain Capital of Alaska" because of its frequent rain and clouds. The city gets a lot of rain all year, even in its driest month. The winters are chilly but not as cold as you might expect, 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 has rain about 149.54 inches (3,798 mm) each year, with the most rain falling in autumn and winter.

Demographics

Ketchikan began 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 were single-person households.

In 2017, about 12.4% of people lived below the poverty line, including nearly 20% of children under 18.

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 also has one over-the-air television station, KUBD, which is a CBS network affiliate. Local cable television offers shows about 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, a pharmacist from Canada, became the first career member of the Alaska Legislature. He served in the territorial Senate for 16 years. Another notable figure is Terry Gardiner, a Ketchikan native who was the youngest person ever elected to the Alaska House of Representatives at age 22.

The United States Coast Guard has a major base south of downtown Ketchikan, serving as a home port for three ships and as a regional maintenance center for Alaska.

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

Economy and industries

Ketchikan's economy is mainly based on fishing, tourism, government jobs, and forestry. Many people find work in these areas, especially during the summer when tourism grows. The city is known as 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 provided many 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 support 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 even 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 was created from what used to be Ketchikan Community College during the late 1980s. It is located in Ketchikan's West End neighborhood and has two buildings named after important people from Ketchikan's history.

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

The city of Ketchikan and nearby places get their medical care from the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center. This hospital is open all day, 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 several other towns to become part of a bigger city named Gero. Even though the towns are no longer separate, 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

Several 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 featured the city. In 2009, an episode of Mythbusters tested if a ship made of ice and sawdust could float, and it was filmed there.

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

Notable people

Ketchikan has been home to many interesting people. Danny Edwards is a professional golfer, and 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.