Sitka
Alaska Sitka
Sitka – located on the west side of Baranof Island, the Alaskan town of Sitka is flanked on the east by majestic snow-capped mountains, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Sitka is best-known for being the capital of “Russian America” (a town established by Alexander Baranov in 1799 – who became the Governor of Russian America). The sea otter pelt trade supported the Russian settlement, until its decline in the 1860s, when the U.S. bought the entire Alaska territory from the Russian government in 1867. Sitka was the original capital of the Alaska territory until 1906, when it was relocated to Juneau.
Those visiting Sitka will notice the Cathedral of St. Michael (Russian Orthodox Church) – which was originally built in 1848, but was burned to the ground in 1966. It has since been restored –topped with an onion dome typical of other Russian churches from the 19th century. Aside from the Cathedral, visitors typically visit Sitka National Historical Park, established in 1972 to commemorate the Tlingit (native Alaskan) and Russian experiences in that part of the state. Note: Sitka can only be reached by air or sea. Visitors can travel to Sitka by scheduled and charter air services, ferry and cruise ship.