Ketchikan pioneer Mike Martin arrived in 1885. An Irish immigrant, Martin had been sent to Alaska by Oregon cannery companies to scout for promising fishing operations. His story doesn't take shape until 1887 when the Cape Fox Packing Company moved its operations to Ketchikan. Renamed the Tongass Packing Company, a cannery was built near the mouth of Ketchikan Creek and then burned in 1889.

Following the fire, Martin partnered with George Clark and built a saltery near the original cannery as well as a general store located close to where Dock Street crosses Main Street. The store had a great impact by providing supplies for the growing town and remote mining outfits. The success was short-lived and by 1898 Martin and Clark were bankrupt. Martin rebounded and opened the Sideboard Saloon, Ketchikan's first drinking establishment. Martin also became the first mayor.