| Ketchikan is an ancient city that is both fascinating
and enjoyable. Even though there are some American restaurants and stores,
(and it is part of the States, of course), it is certainly not your typical
American town. If Anchorage is at one end of the Alaskan spectrum, you will
definitely find Ketchikan at the other end. This small city contains more
totem poles than anywhere in the world, and is set at the base of Deer
Mountain. Back in the 1930?s, Ketchikan was fondly known as the
salmon-canning capital of the world. While this may no longer be true, the
salmon fishing remains outstanding. Just before the beginning of the 20th
century, a series of gold discoveries brought vast numbers of immigrants to
the area. This created two important industries that strengthened the
economy in Ketchikan: commercial fishing and lumber. The region prospered
for a while, but suffered an economic depression after the gold dried up,
and the immigrants were left with no more than when they came. Many of them
left and went to other parts of Alaska where they could find work.
The city is quite compact and you can see most of it on foot. There are
numerous stores that offer unique arts and crafts, jewelry, and other
specialty items that are made by hand in Ketchikan. There are great trails
for hiking and exploring, and a wide array of outdoor sports and activities
is offered as well. A few restaurants will fill you up with hearty, quality
food, but your options are definitely limited. While the nightlife and
eating facilities are not bustling, it doesn't really matter, because
Ketchikan is charming enough that its visitors don't need to be wined and
dined. Ketchikan's charm is complemented by Mother Nature, who relies on the
intrinsic beauty of the region to captivate tourists. |
