Yeltazie's Salmon

The iconic original king salmon sculpture traveled the nation advertising Ketchikan before settling into its long—time home near the fish ladder on Ketchikan Creek. Commissioned in 1963 by the Chamber of Commerce's Tourism Committee, the salmon was carved out of red cedar by Haida carver Jones Yeltatzie as a tourist attraction honoring the millions of salmon that have spawned in Ketchikan Creek. Yeltatzie's salmon finally succumbed to the elements in 2011 prompting the Ketchikan Public Art Works committee of the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council to seek a replacement. Terry Pyles' concept was chosen and the new public art piece was unveiled on July 4, 2013. Appropriately, Pyles named his new tiled sculpture Yeltatzie's Salmon.

Modern image
Photographer: Hall Anderson
Pictured: Terry Pyles
On loan courtesy of Terry Pyles, L2015.4.71.1

Historic image
Jones Yeltatzie carving a large wooden salmon, 1963
Photographer: Unknown
Pictured: Jones Yeltatzie
Donor: Unknown, KM 92.2.22.2