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Sitka History
Sitka was originally inhabited by a major tribe of Tlingits, who called the village "Shee Atika." It
was discovered by the Russian Vitus Bering expedition in 1741, and the site became "New Archangel" in
1799. St. Michael's Redoubt trading post and fort were built here by Alexander Baranof, manager of the Russian-American
company. Tlingits burned down the fort and looted the warehouse in 1802. In 1804, the Russians retaliated by destroying
the Tlingit Fort, in the Battle of Sitka. This was the last major stand by the Tlingits against the Russians, and
the Indians evacuated the area until about 1822. By 1808, Sitka was the capital of Russian Alaska. Baranof was
Governor from 1790 through 1818. During the mid-1800s, Sitka was the major port on the north Pacific coast, with
ships calling from many nations. Furs destined for European and Asian markets were the main export, but salmon,
lumber and ice were also exported to Hawaii, Mexico and California. After the purchase of Alaska by the U.S. in
1867, it remained the capital of the Territory until 1906, when the seat of government was moved to Juneau. A Presbyterian
missionary, Sheldon Jackson, started a school, and in 1878 one of the first canneries in Alaska was built in Sitka.
During the early 1900s, gold mines contributed to its growth, and the City was incorporated in 1913. During World
War II, the town was fortified and the U.S. Navy built an air base on Japonski Island across the harbor, with 30,000
military personnel and over 7,000 civilians. After the war, the BIA converted some of the buildings to be used
as a boarding school for Alaska Natives, Mt. Edgecumbe High School. The U.S. Coast Guard now maintains the air
station and other facilities on the Island. A large pulp mill began operations at Silver Bay in 1960. In 1971,
the City and Borough governments were unified. Sitka offers abundant resources and a diverse economy.
[Info from Alaska Division of Community Advocacy]
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