Culture & Heritage

Ketchikan’s historic and cultural attributes can be summed up in two words- cedar and salmon. The abundance of both attracted Ketchikan’s earliest inhabitants- the people of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian nations. Massive salmon returns piqued the interest of white settlers who established fish salteries and canneries. Gold rush hopefuls purchased goods from Ketchikan merchants on their way north helping grow the settlement into a modern city at the time of it’s founding in 1900. Commercial fishing flourished and tall stands of cedar, hemlock and spruce attracted timber companies and furthering growth. Learn more about native culture: NATIVE CULTURE page.

Visitors can explore our history at several museums and attractions. Walk Creek Street’s wooden boardwalk. Visit former canneries and sawmills. Watch a fresh caught haul of salmon hit the docks. The influence of Native Alaskans is prevalent throughout the community, at area totem parks (Ketchikan boasts the largest collection in the world), dance performances and by watching artisans at work carving poles or crafting traditional basketry. Learn more about the museums in Ketchikan: MUSEUMS page.

Contemporary art flourishes here- as evidenced by local art galleries, public art exhibitions and a year long line up of arts inspired events all of which contribute to Ketchikan being selected as one of the "Top 100 Arts Communities in the U.S." There are numerous tours available in ketchikan that will show all of the heritage and culture of Ketchikan. Visit the: TOURS page for more information.