Ketchikan is... Noble Vice
At once fiercely independent and yet heavily invested in each other, the citizens of Ketchikan have historically skirted the system in order to do what they felt was right.
In a time of fierce prejudice, nuns operated a hospital so that they might give care to Native Alaskans. Mrs. Sen Tatsuda, a benefactor and entrepreneur, schlepped groceries from across town in order to feed Native Alaskans and Asian families, and prostitutes - those relegated to the other side of the bridge. And the notorious madam Dolly Arthur installed a trap door in her house so that she could get quality liquor rowed over from Canada rather than serving her patrons dangerous moonshine.
This is a city of second and third chances, one in which people are judged on commitment and nobility of character. Two institutions have historically served as social centers: bars and churches. As recently as the 1980s, Ketchikan supported the same number of bars as churches.
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