
Historically interesting places
Castle Hill in Sitka
Castle Hill in Sitka, often referred to as the American Flag Raising Site, is a former fort that was used by both the native Tlingit Indians, the Russians and the Americans. At this point the Russian flag was “exchanged” for the American one in 1867 and the process of the takeover of Alaska by the USA was symbolically completed by raising the American flag.
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Find common acronyms associated with Alaska. Also see top 10 cities by population in Alaska.
- Allcitycodes: Lists of all area codes of Alaska. Also includes state overview and counties by area code in Alaska.
Contact | Harbor Road Sitka, Alaska 99835 |
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Skagway
The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Skagway consists of 15 restored historic buildings from the gold rush at the end of the 19th century. Parts of the trails leading the gold seekers into the Yukon Territory are also under protection and former equipment can be seen as exhibits. Because of the cruise ships and their routes, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Skagway is the most visited park in all of Alaska.
opening hours | May to September: Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
Entrance fees | Free |
Pioneer Park in Fairbanks
The Pioneer Park in the city of Fairbanks is an approx. 1.1 km² city park which was opened in 1967 to commemorate the Alaska Purchase of 1867, the purchase of Alaska by the USA, in other words to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The park stretches along the banks of the Chna River. The park is home to numerous museums and attractions that make Alaska’s history and development tangible. For example:
- SS Nenana
A paddle steamer that carried passengers and cargo on the Chena River from 1933 to 1954. There is a museum in the ship today. - Tanana Valley Railroad Museum
This railroad museum tells the history of the railroad in Alaska and is the most impressive exhibit and has the oldest steam locomotive still in operation in the world. - Pioneer Air Museum
In the Pioneer Air Museum, visitors get an insight into the history of flight in Alaska and, above all, the need to travel to remote locations in the wild. - Gold Rush Town
This museum village, consisting of 35 restored buildings, includes buildings such as the first church in Fairbanks, bringing the old times back to life.
Contact | 2300 Airport Way Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 Tel: 001 – (0) 907 – 459 10 87 Fax: 001 – (0) 907 – 459 11 99 |
Aleutian World War II National Historic Area
The Aleutian World War II National Historic Area on Aleutian Island Amaknak Island was founded in 1996 and provides insights into the history of the U.S. military in the region. During the Second World War the Fort Schwatka was located here which served to protect the US fleet. The Japanese invasion of the island of Attu began on June 7, 1942, and 42 residents of the island were taken prisoner of war. The Aleutian World War II National Historic Area is also said to commemorate this incident.
Special buildings and structures
Alaska State Capitol in Juneau
The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau is home to the state legislature and the governor’s offices. The construction of the building lasted from 1929 to 1931 and in 1959 it officially became the Alaska State Capitol. The Alaska State Capitol is characterized by its Art Deco style and impresses with its brick and limestone facade and the four large marble columns. It is one of the 11 state capitals in the USA that have no dome and, due to the lack of a landscape park, looks somewhat like an office building.
Contact | 100 4th Street Juneau, Alaska 99801 |
Old City Hall in Anchorage
The old town hall of Anchorage was opened in 1936 and was the control center of Anchorage. At that time, in addition to the mayor’s office, the chief’s office, several cells, the fire brigade and the central telephone switchboard were also housed there. Today the building houses the city’s tourist office and shows a small exhibition on the city’s history. Concerts also take place here in summer.
Contact | 524 West 4th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 |
Captain Cook Monument in Anchorage
The monument in honor of the British navigator and explorer James Cook is located in a park on 3rd Avenue and offers outstanding views of the Cook Inlet. The monument commemorates Captain Cook’s voyage of discovery in the region in 1778 on his last voyage of discovery.
Contact | W 3rd Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 |
Mary Lee Davis House
This house was built in 1916 for the Williams couple in Fairbanks. After the husband’s death, his widow sold the house to Mary Lee and John Davis. Mary Lee is the author of the book: “We are Alaskan”.
Nowadays the house is known as “The Alaska Heritage House” for its historical interior especially the furniture.
Contact | 410 Cowles Street Fairbanks |
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Alaska
View the maps of the state, city, national parks, and monuments in Alaska. Includes maps of Bering Land Bridge preserve, Denali and Katmai National Park, and Juneau city.
Website: http://www.1uptravel.com/worldmaps/alaska.html
Alaska – Alaska Information Services
Check out this list of maps of various regions, islands and cities in the state.
Website: http://www.alaskais.com/alaskamap.htm
Alaska – Fishing Maps
View several color maps of the fishing waters off the coasts of the state.
Website: http://www.hitime.com/maps.htm
Alaska – Guide to Southeast Alaska
Provides a long and varied list of maps of the cities, regions and views of Alaska. Find out where the native languages are spoken.
Website: http://www.juneau.com/guide/maps/
Alaska – National Geographic Map Machine
Features a shaded-relief map of the state that the United States bought from Russia. Read a brief history.
Website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/atlas/usstates/salask
Alaska – Railroad Maps
Railroad fan John Combs furnishes maps that show the railroad lines throughout the state. He’ll track down other maps if someone makes a request.
Website: http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~combs/arr/arr.html
Alaska – University of Texas Library
Map index has guides to Alaskan landmarks, including the Bering Land Bridge, Denali National Park and Reserve, and Glacier Bay National Park.
Website: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/alaska.htm
Alaska – US Census Bureau Map
Click on a county for economic, population and income and poverty data. includes general overviews by year.
Website: http://www.census.gov/datamap/www/02.html
Alaska 1895 Map
Extra large digital copy of a historic map of what would later become Alaska. Features fine details of place names and land features.
Website: http://www.livgenmi.com/ak1895mp.htm
Alaska South East Map – Alaska Information Service
Features a detailed relief color map of the southeast region of the polar state. Easily locate cities and towns, roadways and landmarks.
Website: http://www.alaskais.com/AKSE.htm
Anchorage Map – Alaska Information Services
Features a large color grid map of Alaska’s largest city, with street names, sights and attractions, park lands and water bodies.
Website: http://www.alaskais.com/AKANCH.htm