Alaska Photos ~ Alaska Stock Photography ~ Alaska Pictures

Sitka Alaska Photos, Southeast Alaska

All photographs on this site may be licensed as stock photography for business use, or purchased as fine art display pictures for home or office decor.

Setting

The name Sitka means "People on the Outside of Shee," Sheet’-ká, being the Tlingit name for Baranof Island. The town is often referred to as "Sitka-by-the-Sea." © Patrick J. Endres

Sitka, the fifth largest city in Alaska (population 8,947 - 2005 est.), is situated on Baranof Island, on the outer coast of Southeast Alaska. Sitka is situated on Baranof Island, nestled between forested mountains and the great Pacific Ocean, on the outer waters of Alaska's Inside Passage. Surrounded by island-studded waters and stately spruce forests reaching to the water's edge, Sitka is considered Alaska's most beautiful seaside town.

Picture search

History

Totem poles depict clan story and history. © Patrick J. Endres

Branof Castle Hill State Historic Site, Sitka, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres

Mount Edgecumbe, a 3,200-foot-tall dormant volcano, is located on Kruzof Island. It can be seen on a clear day from Sitka. © Patrick J. Endres

Sitka offers a combination of Native culture, Russian history, and Alaskan wilderness and lies at the heart of the largest temperate rain forest in the world, the Tongass National Forest. Many tourists visiting Alaska make Sitka a top destination on their list. Cruise ships visit the small community but residents have mixed feelings about the influence of industrial tourism on their town and way of life.

Saint Michaels Cathedral

The present cathedral is a reconstruction of the original building which burned to the ground in January 1966. © Patrick J. Endres

St. Michael's Russian Orthodox church contains an important collection of Russian Orthodox art & church treasures. Built in 1844-48, it was totally destroyed by fire in January 1966. Many of the icons and religious objects were salvaged and are in the rebuilt structure. The building stands as a hallmark feature in downtown Sitka, and it is still used today for religious practice as well as tourism and education.

Sitka National Historic Park

The park is located at the site of the Tlingit fort, near the mouth of the Indian River, where the Battle of Sitka took place between the Tlingit and Russians/Aleuts in 1804. © Patrick J. Endres

The Sitka National Historical Park is a 107 acre park which preserves and interprets the site of a Tlingit Indian Fort and the battle fought between the Russians and the Tlingits in 1804. A fine collection of Haida & Tlingit totem poles were moved there from the Louisiana Exposition in St. Louis in 1904, and in April, 1996, a totem carved by a local carver was raised. The museum contains an exhibit of Tlingit and Russian artifacts. There is an active Tlingit arts program where the public can watch and talk to Native Indian carvers. A free, self-guided oceanside trail leads past several totems to the site of the Tlingit fort.

Alaska Raptor Center

Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to injured bald eagles and other birds. The Alaska Raptor Center's 17-acre campus borders the Tongass National Forest. © Patrick J. Endres

A pioneering wildlife project, the Alaska Raptor Center has for years proven that dedicated volunteer effort and innovative veterinary medicine can make a life-or-death difference on Alaska's raptors (birds of prey). The Center's goal is to release into the wild all rehabilitated birds, however, a few never recover flight and remain housed at the Center's outdoor display.

Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House

Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahadi dancers perform at the Tlingit, Sitka Tribe of Alaska Community House in Sitka, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres

Constructed on a site that once housed the Indian Government School, the Community House offers Native dance performances in full regalia, story telling, cultural events, and a gift shop with authentic Native artwork. Located on Katlian St., next to the tribal house)

Commercial Fishing Industry

Sitka has the largest harbor system in the State of Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres

According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Sitka is the ninth most valuable commercial fisheries port in the nation and fourth in Alaska with $43.3 million dollars passing through its port in 2004. These include Salmon, Herring, Halibut and Groundfish. Sitka is home to a number of salmon trollers and is one of the only Southeast communities that does not derive most of its fisheries income from its purse seine fleet. Salmon is the most valuable fishery in Sitka, but halibut and sablefish fall close behind.

Trolling vessel at sunset, Mount Edgecumbe, Sitka, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres

Sitka's troll fishery is known to bring in high quality salmon. In response, the fishing industry in the region has recently begun an effort to support this reputation by educating the consumer about the unique nature of the salmon product , about the people who harvest the salmon, the handling process during harvest and production, and the attributes of the finished product.

back to top of page

Totem poles are carved to reflect stories and important events in native culture.

Aerial view of downtown Sitka.

Alaska Raptor Center

Sitka has the largest harbor system in the State of Alaska. Sitka harbor, overlooking the Pioneer home

Salmon trolling vessel in the Sitka Sound.

Commercial fishing vessel Leading Lady participates in the Sitka Sac Roe Herring fishery

Commercial fisherman, Louis Holst, sells dungeouness crabs at the Thompsen harbor in Sitka, Alaska

King Salmon charter fishing in Sitka, Alaska.

Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka, Alaska

Tlingit Woodcarver, Tommy Joseph carves alder wood at the Sitka National Historic Park

Second growth forest, Tongass National Forest, Sitka, Alaska

Theobroma chocolate company, Sitka, Alaska

Holland America cruise ship in Sitka Sound, coastal town of Sitka along the Alaska Inside Passage. A favorite stop for tourist.

John W. O'Connell Bridge. Connects Japonski Island where Sitka's airport and Coast Guard Station are located. The bridge is named for a former mayor of Sitka, Alaska