Ketchikan is an industrial center and a major port of entry in Southeast Alaska, with a diverse economy. Ketchikan is supported by a large fishing fleet, fish processing facilities, timber and wood products manufacturing, and tourism.

Ketchikan Pulp Corporation’s pulp mill closed in March 1997, forcing 400 residents into unemployment. To ease the affects of the shut-down, the U.S. Forest Service is allocating timber for the saw mill to continue operations for three additional years.

Several smaller timber companies are also based in Ketchikan. Local government leaders and business people are working to develop new wood-products plants that could create more jobs while cutting fewer trees. The state operates the Deer Mountain Hatchery which produces over 450,000 King, Coho, Steelhead and Rainbow Trout annually.
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As of 2004, there were 8,044 people, 3,300 households, and 1,997 families residing in the City. The population density was 2,348.6/mi² (907.6/km²). There were 3,645 housing units at an average density of 1,080.6/mi² (417.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.31% White, 0.84% Black or African American, 19.80% Native American, 6.85% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 6.68% from two or more races. 3.38% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,300 households out of which 52% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.09.

The population is spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.95% from 25 to 44, 22.35% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.93 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.
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Ketchikan is located at 55°22′52?N, 131°39′51?W on Revillagigedo Island, 90 miles (145 km) north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia and 235 miles (378 km) south of Juneau, Alaska.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the City has a total area of 4.1 mi² (10.7 km²). 3.4 mi² (8.7 km²) of it is land and 0.8 mi² (2.0 km²) of it (18.60%) is water.

Average annual rainfall is 152 inches (3861 mm); annual average snowfall is 37 inches (940 mm). The average high temperature in July is 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius), and the average high temperature in January is 33 degrees Fahrenheit (0.5 degrees Celsius). (more…)

Ketchikan Alaska means different things to different people. Some people enjoy Ketchikan Alaska fishing; others come to explore Ketchikan’s Native American culture. If you were to take a Ketchikan tour, you would discover that the arts are also alive and well in this quaint town.

Based on the number of festivals throughout the year, Ketchikan Alaska has been referred to as one of the “Top 100 Small Arts Communities in the United States.” Inspired by the scenic beauty and preserved history, many artists have made Ketchikan Alaska their home. Unlike the galleries in big cities, the artists themselves own most of the art galleries in Ketchikan Alaska. The Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council is the umbrella organization for the Ketchikan arts scene.

Ketchikan is 235 miles south of Juneau. It lies along the Inside Passage in “the land of the totem pole.” The city is situated on Revillagigelo Island and experiences a moderate, moist climate. In 1887, a salmon cannery was erected on the future site of Ketchikan. By 1936, seven canneries were in operation, producing 1.5 million cases of salmon. The community blossomed swiftly after nearby copper mining began in 1898. The city’s name is said to be a Tlingit phrase, “thundering wings of an eagle.”

Tongass and Cape Fox Tlingits have used Ketchikan Creek as a fish camp which they called “kitschk-hin,” meaning creek of the “thundering wings of an eagle.” The abundant fish and timber resources attracted non-Natives to Ketchikan. In 1885, Mike Martin bought 160 acres from Chief Kyan, which later became the township. The first cannery opened in 1886 near the mouth of Ketchikan Creek and four more were built by 1912. (more…)

Ketchikan is the fifth most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska and the southeastern most sizable city in that state. Ketchikan’s economy is based upon tourism and fishing, and the city is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” The Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the area’s major attractions.

Ketchikan is named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town. Ketchikan comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, the meaning of which is unclear, although it may mean “the river belonging to Kitschk.” Ketchikan also has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles located at three major locations: Saxman Village, Totem Bight, and the Totem Heritage Center.
The town is perched on the shores of Ketchikan Creek and the Tongass Narrows on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska, within the Tongass National Forest.

From the southeast side of the Salmon Landing Building at the Dockside Gallery, enjoy views of mountains, sea and the Cruise ships. Ketchikan is where many cruise ships dock and its historic downtown area, nestled between ocean and mountains, is crowded with tourists in the summer. The town sits atop steep hills and is supported on wooden pilings, with numerous boardwalks, staircases and totem poles. Dozens of canneries have made it the “salmon capital of the world.”

Ketchikan has a population of 14,500 and is built along a steep hillside, with sections of the town built right over the water on pilings. An outstanding collection of totem poles make a visit to Ketchikan essential for anyone interested in Native art. Ketchikan’s name supposedly comes from the native term “Katch Kanna”, which roughly translates: “spread wings of a thundering eagle” and rightly named, for you only need to look along the water line and you’re likely to see many bald eagles on waterside perches. (more…)

The easiest way to get to Bethel, Alaska is to fly there. There are commercial flights as well as float planes. Bethel does have a small boat harbor, and it is accessible by river during the summer season. IN the winter season, the river becomes 150 miles of ice road to the surrounding villages.

The State-owned Bethel Airport is the regional transportation center, and is served by two major passenger airlines, two cargo carriers, and numerous air taxi services.

The airport ranks third in the state for total number of flights. It offers a 6,398′ asphalt runway and 1,850′ gravel crosswind runway, and is currently undergoing a $7 million renovation and expansion.

Two float plane bases are nearby, Hangar Lake and H Marker Lake. The Port of Bethel is the northern-most medium-draft port in the U.S. River travel is the primary means of local transportation in the summer, and it becomes a 150-mile ice road to surrounding villages in the winter.

A barge service based in Bethel provides goods to the Kuskokwim villages. There are 16 miles of local roads. Winter trails are marked to Napakiak (1.1 mi.) and Akiachak (19 mi.)

Bethel, at its original location, was a Yup’ik village called Mamterillermiut, meaning “Smokehouse People,” after the nearby fish smokehouse. Bethel is located at the mouth of the Kuskokwim River, 40 miles inland from the Bering Sea. It lies in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, 400 air miles west of Anchorage. It was an Alaska Commercial Company trading post during the late 1800s.

There were 41 people in Bethel during the 1880 U.S. Census. At that time, it was an Alaska Commercial Company Trading Post. The Moravian Church established a mission in the area in 1884. The community was moved to its present location due to erosion at the prior site. A post office was opened in 1905. Before long, Bethel was serving as a trading, transportation and distribution center for the region, which attracted Natives from surrounding villages. Over time, federal and state agencies established regional offices in Bethel.

It had a population of 41 people in the 1880 U.S. Census. The Moravian Church established a mission in the area in 1885, under the leadership of Rev. John Henry Kilbuck, Jr. Kilbuck taught Yup’ik, which greatly enhanced his effectiveness as a missionary. Missionaries moved Bethel from Mamterillermiut to its present location on the west side of the Kuskokwim River. A United States Post Office was opened in 1905.The year is 1975. Bethel’s organization is down to 600 members. In May, Rev. John R. Bryant, at the age of 31, becomes the youngest pastor in Bethel’s history. His father, Bishop Harrison J. Bryant, had pastured there only 11 years before.

As a great gospel preacher and teacher, Rev. John R. Bryant is blessed with persuasive power in convincing people to give there lives to Christ. Under his leadership the congregation increased to 1,600 members in less than two years and over 3,000 members by the end of 1978. Rev. John R. Bryant became a bishop in 1988. (more…)

According to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, as of 2006, there were an estimated 5,960 people living in Bethel. As of the 2000 census there were 5471 people, 1,790 households, and 1,190 families residing in the city.

The population density was 49/km² (125.0/mi²). There were 2,310 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (46/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 27% White, 1% Black or African American, 62% Native American, 3% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 7% from two or more races. 2% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,790 households out of which 46% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% are married couples living together, 18% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30% are non-families. 25% of all households are made up of individuals and 3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.0 and the average family size is 3.7.
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Bethel is a city located in Bethel Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska, 340 miles (540 km) west of Anchorage. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 6,262
Bethel is the largest community in western Alaska and the 9th largest municipality in the state.

It lies inside the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, the largest wildlife refuge in the United States. It is an administrative and transportation hub for the 56 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Bethel is home to the premier mid-distance dogsled race, the Kuskokwim 300. The “K300″ is considered by many of the world’s elite mushers to be the greatest sled-dog race in the world, even though other races receive more media attention.

The K300 is so highly acclaimed because of the warmth and energy of the community volunteers, the dedication of the race’s sponsors, and the high prize purse. In the spring, traditional dancers from all over Alaska and the world gather for Cam-ai (pronounced Cha-Mai) Dance Festival. (more…)