Sitka - population 8,900
"Vitus Bering, a Russian explorer, was the leader of the expedition that is credited with the discovery of Alaska. The two ships in the expedition were separated by a storm and one month later one of them landed "near the entrance of a large sound, surrounded by forested mountains, beneath the towering majesty of a cone-shaped peak." Since there seems little doubt that the description was of Sitka, it is accepted as the site of Alaska's discovery by Russia on July 15, 1741.
In 1799, Alexander Baranof built Fort Redoubt St. Archangel Michael six miles north of the present day Sitka. This settlement was destroyed two years later by Tlingit warriors, and in 1804, Baranof returned from Kodiak to re-stake a settlement in the Sitka area. Following the battle at Indian River, the Russians were able to settle in the site, which is now Sitka.
Alaska was transferred to the United States at Sitka on October 18, 1867. Sitka remained the capital of Alaska until 1912, when the territorial government was moved to the current capital,Juneau." (Bell's Travel Guide Tim Bell)
*(Not all photos have captions)
In 1799, Alexander Baranof built Fort Redoubt St. Archangel Michael six miles north of the present day Sitka. This settlement was destroyed two years later by Tlingit warriors, and in 1804, Baranof returned from Kodiak to re-stake a settlement in the Sitka area. Following the battle at Indian River, the Russians were able to settle in the site, which is now Sitka.
Alaska was transferred to the United States at Sitka on October 18, 1867. Sitka remained the capital of Alaska until 1912, when the territorial government was moved to the current capital,Juneau." (Bell's Travel Guide Tim Bell)
*(Not all photos have captions)