Shops on the waterfront (note these are all built on piers over the water)
Ketchikan is a charming mix of Alaskan native heritage and the pioneering spirit of the gold rush days. Known as “Salmon Capital of the World”, fishing, timber, and mining formed a strong economic base in the early 1900’s.
Look closely and you'll see some of the thousands of salmon running in Creek Street
Ketchikan is also known for the totem poles that are made here. They’re carved for a number of reasons: to depict legends, to honor a deceased family member, or to pay homage to some other momentous event.
Poles are also carved for exploitative reasons, but the practice is frowned upon.
Horse-drawn carriage--one of many ways to get around Ketchikan
Statue of pioneers along the waterfront (note the Holland America ship in the background)
Because of the mountain range, Ketchikan’s founders had little space on which to build. The pioneers added “land” by sinking pilings and building piers on top. Some of the town’s best restaurants are actually on stilts in the harbor!
World-famouns Creek Street in Ketchikan. The buildings here date back over 100 yrs. Now they hold many cute shops.
The city’s population is 15,000 and in the summer the average temperature is 65 degrees.
FYI, did you know that Alaska became a state in 1959?
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