Ketchikan Historic Commission

FROM THEN TO NOW

Historic preservation is an essential strategy to promote our community’s unique identity and is a vital component of economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

Ketchikan Historic Commission

FROM THEN TO NOW

Historic preservation is an essential strategy to promote our community’s unique identity and is a vital component of economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

KETCHIKAN HISTORIC COMMISSION

An Alaskan Way of Life

Alaskans respect our collective heritage. We view historic preservation as an essential strategy to promote our communities’ unique identities and as an important component of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Alaskans are empowered with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for an inclusive approach to preservation that is appropriately balanced with development. Alaska’s preservation community includes a network of people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and disciplines. We work in partnership to identify,preserve, protect, and interpret the state’s cultural, historic, and archaeological resources ensuring that our heritage is passed on to future generations.

Meetings are held monthly, every 4th Tuesday at 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.. Contact Commission Secretary Anita Maxwell at (907) 225-5600 for more information. The public is welcome to attend.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING EFFORTS

Interested in Preserving Ketchikan’s Historic Resources?

Ketchikan is rich with history and culture and has the highest density of historic and cultural resources per capita in Alaska. Ketchikan was designated nationally as a Preserve America community in 2007 for its dedication to preserving its history, elegant architecture, and deeply rooted and vibrant cultures. With over 400 resources on the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey database, Ketchikan boasts 13 properties on the National Register of Historic Places, of which three are historic districts - the Downtown Ketchikan Historic District, Steadman-Thomas Historic District, and the world famous Creek Street Historic District. In addition, there are 23 resources determined eligible that are just waiting for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic preservation efforts depend upon the involvement and commitment of local citizens, government, and preservationists, thus public input is a critical component of the process. Our first round of community meetings is complete and we're working on next steps. If you're interested in participating, please contact the Tongass Historical Museum at (907) 225-5600.

The Steadman
Dock Street, 1907. Photo by Harriet E. Hunt. THS 73.4.1.8

Interested in joining the Commission?

The Ketchikan Historic Commission currently has one Community Representative position available. To get involved, please contact Commission Secretary, Anita Maxwell, at (907) 225-5600.

Historic Commission

Resources

Ketchikan Cold Storage Worker with Halibut, 1930.
Ketchikan Cold Storage Worker with Halibut, 1930.
Ketchikan Cold Storage Worker with Halibut, 1930.
Ketchikan Cold Storage Worker with Halibut, 1930.

DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION

What to Expect

Review and make recommendations about local projects that might affect properties identified in the local historic preservation plan.

Review and develop nominations to the National Register of Historic Places for properties within the City of Ketchikan.

Act in an advisory role to the Tongass Historical Society, the Ketchikan museum department, Ketchikan Gateway Borough planning and zoning commission, and the Alaska Historic Sites Advisory Committee on all matters concerning historical districts and historic, prehistoric and archaeological preservation in the city of Ketchikan.

Develop a local historic preservation plan to include provision for identification, protection and interpretation of the area’s significant resources. Such plan is to be compatible with the Alaska Historic Preservation Plan, and to produce information compatible with and for the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey.

The historic preservation commission shall work toward the continuing education of citizens regarding historic preservation and the committee’s history.

The commission shall support the enforcement of the Alaska Historic Preservation Act.

Loggers on Springboards, circa 1930.
Loggers on Springboards, circa 1930.

MEET THE COMMISSION

Commission Members

Chapter 2.88 of the Ketchikan Municipal Code established the Ketchikan Historic Commission which shall be composed of 10 members appointed by the mayor with approval of the city council, and shall serve without compensation.

VACANT,

Community Representative

Deborah Hayden,

Community Representative

Kristina Hill,

Archaeologist, Commission Chair

Alethea Johnson,

Borough Planning Department representative (advisory)

Anita Maxwell,

City Council Designee, Secretary

Amanda Welsh,

Architect and Tongass Historical
Society Representative

Pat Tully

Community Representative

Irene Dundas

Community Representative

Stephen Reeve

Historian

Sharli Arntzen/Jos Govaars

Borough Planning Commission representative

BECOME A COMMISSIONER!

If you’re interested in applying to be part of the Ketchikan Historic Commission, please fill out an application and send to the Commission secretary at anitam@ktn-ak.us.