Sitka, Alaska was once the capital city of early Russian
America. Until 1906, it was also the capital of Alaska; at that time
Alaska's capital was moved to the City of Juneau. Sitka is found on the Baranof Island in Alaska and has many
interesting sites buildings and monuments. It is one of the only cities
that lies outside of the Inside Passage on the western coast of the island.
The city is also the major city found on the famous island. It is
protected from the furious and violent Northern Pacific Ocean by the numerous
islands located in the harbor. First inhabited over 1500 years ago by
ancestors of the Tlingit people, the name Sitka comes from the Tlingit name for
their village, Shee Atika, meaning "people on the outside of the Shee."
Dominating the city skyline is a 3,200 foot high dormant volcano called Mount
Edgecumbe. The cloudy day that we were in port, we did not see this famous
landmark. In addition to the cultural center the city has a vibrant
college community and is fascinated with its roots tied to three major cultures
of the native "Tlingit" people, Russia and America. Many people from the
lower 48, have chosen to make Sitka their home although nearly a quarter of the
people claim the native heritage as their roots.
More info on Sitka
"All signs point to down town."
Watching the Russian Dancers at Harrigan Centennial Hall
For 33 years, Sitka, Alaska has celebrated the Russian culture by dancing for the
city's visitors. During our visit we were privileged to see spirited
performances of traditional Russian folk dances by a the New Archangel Dancers.
During our visit they danced several of their over 30 dance repertoire that they
have performed
for for audiences around world. Whether you're from Russia, the Ukraine,
Georgia, or Belarus you would recognize your heritage in the dances performed by
this troupe. The all female troupe
performed at the Harrigan Centennial Hall which also houses the comprehensive
Isabel Miller Museum. In the Museum we saw several exhibits covering every
aspect of Sitka's rich history. It was a truly remarkable museum with very
able, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides. It was a shame that most of
the people that attended the folk dance, missed the museum.
At that event, seniors who probably lived in the area for many years also
recited the history of the Alaskan flag
for us.
“The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower.
The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly in the
union. The Dipper is for the Great Bear — symbolizing strength.”
Outside of the cultural center and museum sits the statue of Trader Alexander
Baranov.
Alexander Baranov barged into the area and established a fort which later
expanded into the town of New Archangel, now known as Sitka. In 1808, the
settlement became the capital of the Russian Colony, a wilderness empire that
extended from the Aleutian Islands to Fort Ross north of San Francisco.
Inside of the Isabel Miller Museum and gift shop.
St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
One of Sitka's most famous landmarks is the Russian Orthodox
cathedral on Lincoln Street. The church houses some of the most important
and treasured Russian icons in United States, including priceless paintings,
investments, and jeweled wedding crowns that are more than 100 years old.
Like many visitors, I took several pictures outside of the famous structure and
seat of Alaska's Russian Orthodox church. St. Michaels was originally
built in 1840 and burned in January 1966. During the next decade the
church was rebuilt based on its original plans. The church was originally
designed and built by the famed in greatest Orthodox missionary in an Alaska
Bishop Ivan Veniaminov. The only difference between the original structure
and the current one is that it is fire retardant. Visitors are charged a $2 fee to
enter the church where there are no pews or chairs available for the
congregation to sit because the congregation feels that "in as much as that
person would not sit in the presence of royalty, neither would one sit in the
presence of God."
The Sitka Pioneers Home (a convalescent home) dates from 1913, the current
four-story building with a red tile roof was built in 1934. It is one of
several homes built for this purpose in Alaska. Its sole purpose was to
take care of indigent men who came north with a Klondike rush to make
their fortune. These men never realize their quest to become rich as gold
prospectors. Many died penniless. The "pioneer home" in Sitka was
the first erected to take care of these people. Today, many people from
diverse backgrounds stay in homes like these.
A cemetery, local housing and Russian Block House are located behind the Sitka
Pioneers Home. It is located in the western portion of the city.
"The Prospector"
In recognition of the days of the pioneers and prospectors, "The Prospector",
was cast in bronze and stands 13.5 tall. the statue is located in front of
the Sitka Pioneers Home, a convalescent home for the residents of Sitka.
The sculptor, Victor Alonzo Lewis, modeled the structure after one of Alaska's
most famous pioneers, "Skagway Bill" Fonda. Lewis passed away before the
sculpture could be put in place in 1949.
In Sitka National Historic Park or Totem Park you find a wilderness of
Sitka Spruce trees as well as shrubs and huckleberries, ferns and flowers.
There you walk from totem pole to totem pole on winding paths and pleasant
trails. The park is located in close proximity to the center of the city
at the mouth of the Indian River and is visible from the harbor. It was at
this site that native Tlingit people build their fort for protection against
their enemies. One such enemy was Alexander Barron, a trader and captain of the Russian
Man of War, the ship "Neva", manned by Russian naval men who killed their people
and destroyed their fort with their canon barrage in 1799.
Also located in the park in front of Sitka's Pioneer Home is Totem Square.
There you see one of Sitka's totems and
cannon aimed at the harbor to the south. The totem was carved with images
of animals, and ancestors, and supernatural beings representing the family crest
and clan history. Behind the square and to the west of the Pioneer Home is
the Tlingit Native Dance Center, you can see it below the Russian block house in
the center photograph. Every day, native dancers perform for audiences in
the replica of a traditional clan house educating all about their heritage,
celebrating with songs that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Proud of their Russian Heritage - banners decorate the light poles lining the
street.
Sitka's mosquitoes are some of the largest that I've ever seen.
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