The Charming Small Town In Alaska That Was Named After A Creek
By Megan McDonald|Updated on April 19, 2024(Originally published August 09, 2022)
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
If you’re looking for one of the most charming small towns in Alaska, look no further than Ketchikan. Named after the beautiful creek that runs through town, this picture-perfect town is filled with lots of history and natural beauty. It’s a must-see on your next southeastern Alaska adventure!
Alaska is well known for its charming small towns.
One of our favorite charming small towns in Alaska? The small seaside town of Ketchikan! But what is Ketchikan named after? Well, it's actually named after the creek that runs through town.
Ketchikan has been around since 1883, when a gentleman named Snow erected a salmon fishery. Ketchikan Creek is a very productive habitat for Alaska salmon.
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The town ended up incorporating in 1900, when the population hit around 800 people.
Beyond salmon fishing, the town attracted mining and prospecting. When that began to die down, the timber trade and fisheries grew and was the main employer of Ketchikan residents.
Ketchikan offers many great ways to explore, including the nearby Tongass National Forest. The forest is actually the largest national forest in America, coming in at 17 million acres. Plenty of room to roam!
Ketchikan averages around 234 days of rain throughout the year, culminating in 153 inches of rain.
It helps feed Ketchikan Creek, and keeps the water levels high and beautiful. And Creek Street isn’t the only wooden boardwalk around; there are a couple more wooden walkways that cars are barred from in the area. It makes for a beautiful downtown!
If you have a chance to soak in the gorgeous town of Ketchikan, don’t miss out.
The beautiful mountain views, stunning ocean view sunsets, and wonderful people all make Ketchikan somewhere special. Put this spot on your must-see list this year!
Have you ever visited this charming small town in Alaska? What did you think? Did you love it? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for a place to stay while you’re here visiting, take a look at the available vacation rentals on Vrbo.
