Southeast Alaska – Ketchikan

Ketchikan, Alaska a beautiful city that has a charming mix of the old and new began as a small salmon cannery in 1884 and was incorporated in 1900. Its current population is an estimated 14,500. The primary source of industry has recently changed from wood products to tourism. The city averages 162 inches of precipitation annually (that’s 13.5 feet.) Ketchikan claims the title of the salmon capital of the world and as such is an attractive destination for fisherman. Ketchikan’s airport is located on Garvina Island and requires a quick ferry ride across the Tongass Narrows to access the city. When departing on an Alaskan cruise from ports in Washington or Canada or the Alaskan Marine Highways Ferry out of Bellingham, Ketchikan is usually the first stop. Must-do’s in Ketchikan include a visit to the old “red light” district on Creek Street, a trip to Totem Heritage Center to view the world’s largest collection of totem poles, and a tour of the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center which is located at 50 main Street.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/discoverycenter/index.html