Sitka National Historical Park

Once a national monument and today a national historical park, Sitka National Historical Park is located on Baranof Island in southeast Alaska. This protected area preserves artifacts and historic sites related to the 1804 Battle of Sika between invading Russian traders and the Kiks.ádi Tlingit people.

Visiting Sitka National Historical Park

With two miles of wooded pathways lined in Native totems and plenty of historic sites and landmarks throughout its 112 acres, Sitka National Historical Park takes visitors on a walk back through time. Commemorating a unique era in the history of Alaska, along with the struggle it caused the Tlingit people, this park is a must-see stop on your tour of southeast Alaska.

About Sitka National Historical Park

First called Indian River Park, then Totem Park, Sitka National Historical Park is a scenic place that borders Baranof Island’s outer shore. Remnants of Native culture and Russian influence stand throughout the park—from Tlingit and Haida totem poles along the trails to the restored Russian Bishop’s House.

History & Geography

The historic Tlingit fort, called Shis'kí Noow, or “Sapling Fort”, was the site of the Battle of Sitka in what is now Sitka National Historic Park. This conflict occurred between the Tlingit people of Alaska and Russian fur hunters that were attempting to invade the area. The Russian forces succeeded, and they settled in the area, dubbing it “Russian America”, until it was sold to the United States in 1867.

The site of what was once Shis'kí Noow was designated for public use by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890. In the early 1900s, Native totem poles were gathered from across the state for display at the park, and pressure was put on the government to protect the area and its artifacts by declaring the site a national monument—which finally happened in 1910.

Between 1960-1980, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and it was designated as both a National Historic Park and National Historic Landmark.

Interesting Facts

As Alaska’s oldest federally designated cultural and historical park, Sitka National Historical Park commemorates the experiences of the Tlingit and Russians in 19th-century Alaska. Today, the park is a beautiful place with wooded paths, totem pole collections, and a visitor center where people can explore the history and legacy of Alaska’s past.

• From 1942-1947, the U.S. Army occupied the park for defensive purposes, and their projects caused massive environmental impact for decades after they left.
• The original totem poles placed at the park in the early 1900s are now in storage due to weathering and age, and the majority of the current totem poles are replicas.
• One of the few surviving examples of Russian Colonial Style architecture on this side of the globe can be found ½ mile from the park at the Russian Bishop’s House—a building built of native spruce completed in 1843.
• Images of Sitka in the early 20th century are featured in the park museum’s collection of 1,000+ glass plate negatives created by photographer E.W. Merrill.

Points of Interest

Beautiful, serene, and captivating in its history, every year thousands of visitors come to Sitka and tour this National Historical Park. Whether you come to see the fully restored beauty of the Russian Bishop’s House or you’re interested in getting out in the Alaskan wilderness and seeing Native art, there’s something for everyone at Sitka National Historical Park.