2. History Nestled at the foot of magnificent glacial carved
mountains facing the Pacific Ocean on Baranof Island, Sitka is
located on the outer coast of Alaskas Inside Passage and lies at
the heart of the largest temperate rain forest in the world, the
Tongass National Forest. With views of island-studded waters and
forests descending to the waters edge, Sitka is home to just under
9,000 people. There are one of the oldest and most culturally
significant communities in Alaska. "Sitka" is a contraction of
"Shee-Atika" ("People on the side of Shee"), the expression the
original Tlingit Indian inhabitants used to describe themselves and
their location on the western coast of what is now called Baranof
Island. In 1804 the Russian Empire forced its way into Sitka, and
occupied the site until the sale of Alaska in 1867.
3. Culture The Tlingit have lived continuously in Sitka for
over 50 centuries. Discover age-old stories of the Tlingit people
at Sitka National Historical Park (known as "Totem Park" by locals)
and the adjacent Sitka Cultural Center. Here, totems carved by the
masterful hands of Tlingit and Haida Indians can be seen along a
pathway that meanders through the rain-forest.
4. Weather
5. Sitka Government The City and Borough of Sitka has an
Assembly- Municipal Administrator form of government in which the
elected Mayor and Assembly members establish policy. Those policies
are then implemented by the Municipal Administrator who is
appointed by, and reports to, the Assembly. The mayor works with
the Assembly members to establish city policy. The Municipal
Administrator is responsible for the day-to- day administration of
Sitka's government.
6. www.cityofsitka.com City and Borough of Sitka
7. Events Alaska Day Festival Sitka Whalefest
8. Events Sitka Seafood Festival Sitka Summer Music
Festival
9. The New Archangel Dancers mission is to promote and
encourage interest in Alaska's Russian History and culture through
sharing of ethnic folk dance and song. These were evident in Sitka
during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Dancers support
performing arts in the community of Sitka, and promote and
encourage tourism. New Archangel Dancers
10. Sitka loves the Arts
11. They have annualSitka Summer Music Festival provides
world-class chamber music. The festival just celebrated it's 40th
anniversary, and has been used as a model for chamber music
festivals all over the country. Sitka Fine Arts Camp Whale fest,
Sitka ArtiGras, HomeSkillet Fest and the Sitka Monthly Grind Sitka
loves the Arts
12. Mt. Edgecumbe
13. Salmon are a pillar of life in Southeast Alaska. They are
essential to the ecosystem of the rainforest, and they drive the
culture and economy of this region. The life cycles of salmon are
intricately woven into the life of the Tongass. The salmon the
habitat of the rainforest to survive, while the people and the
rainforest in turn need the salmon to survive. Local Food -
Salmon
14. Wildlife Bald Eagles Whales
15. Wildlife Brown Bear Seabirds
16. Sitka National Historical Park ThisThis scenic 107 acre
park preserves and interprets the site of a Tlingit Indian Fort and
the battle fought between the Russians and the Tlingits in 1804. A
fine collection of Haida & Tlingit totem poles were moved there
from the Louisiana Exposition in St. Louis in 1904, and in April,
1996, a locally carved totem was raised in traditional ceremonial
style. May to Sept. $4/person, family pass $15, Gold Age, Golden
Access, Golden Eagle & National Park passes honored. Children
15 years and under free. Attractions
17. Important collection of Russian Orthodox art and rare
church treasures. Built in 1844-48, it was totally destroyed by
fire in January of 1966. Many of the precious icons and religious
objects were salvaged and are in the rebuilt structure. St.
Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral
18. Houses one of the best native Alaskan collections anywhere.
Sheldon Jackson Museum
19. A pioneering wildlife project, the Raptor Center has for
years proven that dedicated volunteer effort and innovative
veterinary medicine can make a life-or-death difference on Alaska's
raptors (birds of prey). Alaska Raptor Center
20. Dedicated in July 1995, Whale Park provides an opportunity
to view wildlife (from the boardwalk), including humpback whales in
the late fall and early spring months. The park is located about 6
miles south of downtown and has a small sheltered picnic area and
free viewing scopes. Whale Park
21. (Baranof Castle Site) An Early stronghold of the Kiksadi
clan. Later a succession of Russian buildings were erected on this
site. The last one, known as "Baranof's Castle", was erected in
1837, and perished in a fire 1898. On October 18, 1867, it was the
site of the transfer of Alaska to the United States. Each year,
Alaska Day is still celebrated Oct. 18. Baranof Castle Hill
22. A 501 (c)3 non-profit education and rescue center with an
exquisite three- quarter acre habitat for orphaned Brown Bear cubs
complete with covered viewing areas. Alaska Brown Bear viewing in a
natural type setting. .75 Acre exhibit replicates the Southeast
Alaska Brown Bear habitat. Fortress of the Bear
23. Built in 1967, during Alaska's Centennial celebration, the
building is still one of the finest in the state. It houses the
Sitka Historical Society, a local history collection located in the
Sitka Historical Museum (formerly known as the Isabel Miller
Museum), an auditorium for public use, Baranof Arts and Crafts
Association (in the summer months), a wildlife display and an
information desk (with visitor information on it, in the summer
months). HARRIGAN CENTENNIAL HALL
24. WW II headquarters for military forces who served in Sitka.
During WW II, Japonski Island was connected by a man-made causeway
in the 1940's to the surrounding chain of islands which served as a
location for bunkers and gunning sites. Though the bunkers and
sites are not well preserved, they are accessible by boat. Japonski
Island
25. The oldest intact Russian building in Sitka was built in
1842, by the Russian American Company as a residence for the Bishop
of the Orthodox Church. Bishop Innocent (Ivan Veniaminov) was its
first resident. The building and grounds are managed by the
National Park Service. It has been restored to the 1850's historic
period when it functioned as a school, Bishop's residence, and a
chapel. Registered as a National Historic Landmark. Russian Bishops
House
26. Totem Square contains a Russian cannon and three anchors
recovered from the Sitka vicinity, probably lost by early British
or American explorers. Totem Square
27. See an artist's mural of the Southeast Alaska ecosystem, an
800 gallon Wall of Water exhibit. Feel the spiny skin of a star
fish, the soft tentacles of a sea anemone, and the coarse shell of
an abalone as your hands roam through the three ocean-water touch
tanks. View the feeding of four species of salmon in the non-profit
hatchery. Sitka Sound Science Center
28. In a state where fishing is legendary, Sitka is simply an
angler's paradise. The halibut are among the biggest in the world
and the salmon fishing is world class. Sitka boasts the highest
saltwater sport fishing catch rate for King Salmon in the State.
Saltwater Fishing
29. On Memorial Day Weekend, the derby awards thousands of
dollars in cash and prizes to contending fishermen. Freshwater
Fishing