The indigenous peoples of Southeast Alaska discovered Revillagigedo Island, where Ketchikan is situated, long before Capt. George Vancouver explored the area in 1793.
He named the island after the Viceroy of Mexico, in recognition of the Spanish exploration of the Inside Passage, which had occurred just one year before.
Early Native residents valued the area at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek
for its abundant salmon returns each summer and established a fish camp there to catch and
prepare food for the winter. When Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867, U.S. fishing
interests began to investigate, purchased land and eagerly established a fish saltery in
Ketchikan and nearby Loring in the 1880s. Ketchikan was already regarded as a commercial
center in 1887, serving as a supply source for prospectors heading to the gold fields of
the Yukon, and becoming a new home for those without the means to continue north. In the
year 1900, 800 residents signed a petition to incorporate into a city. Area residents,
businesses and organizations will host a variety of events throughout the year to
celebrate the first 100 years of Ketchikan’s history.
Getting Here by Air
The journey is half the fun
Alaska Airlines
Ketchikan is just 90 minutes by air from Seattle, with several daily flights in and out provided by Alaska Airlines. Scheduled daily jet service is also available to and from Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell.Ketchikan International Airport is located on Gravina Island, a five minute ferry ride to town. Airport shuttle vans and a water taxi service meet all flights, transporting passengers and luggage from baggage claim to your Ketchikan destination. Connections to outlying areas via wheeled and floatplanes are available at the airport. Ground service and parking space is also available for private aircraft traveling to Ketchikan.
Floatplanes
Local commuter air carriers connect Ketchikan with all of the outlying communities of southern Southeast Alaska, and Prince Rupert, Canada. The aircraft are called “floatplanes” because of the large floats that allow them to take off and land safely on the water. Floatplanes can land in bays and harbors to access waterfront communities and on lakes to reach remote recreation areas and fishing hot spots.These folks are ready to help
Alaska AirlinesP.O. Box 68900, Seattle, WA 98168
800-426-0333, www.alaskaair.com
Ketchikan International Airport Transportation Services
(private aircraft )
1000 Airport Terminal Bldg., Ketchikan, AK 99901
907-225-6800
http://borough.ketchikan.ak.us
Getting Here by Sea
Cruise Lines
Ketchikan is a major cruise ship port along the Inside Passage, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Cruise lines calling in Ketchikan include American West Steamboat Co., Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Clipper Cruise Line, Cruise West, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas. Ketchikan’s friendly citizens, scenic beauty and wide range of shore excursions and activities consistently rank it among the most popular ports of call among passengers.Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS)
The Alaska Marine Highway System operated by the State of Alaska, maintains a fleet of ferries connecting Ketchikan with the lower 48 states, and Canada to the rest of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Ferries range from day boats to full-service vessels accommodating passengers with staterooms, food and beverage service and vehicle transport. The scenic ferry trip north from Bellingham, Washington takes 36 hours, from Prince Rupert, B.C. 6 hours. Convenient connections are available to Metlakatla, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines and Skagway with regular service to Southcentral Alaska via Seward. Vessels accommodate vehicles of any size.Inter-Island ferry service
The Inter-Island ferry service operates daily service to and from Prince of Wales Island. The terminal located in Hollis provides access to other communities via the Prince of Wales road system.Private vessels
Ketchikan has plenty of moorage for visiting yachts and private boaters and can provide any needed marine services including fuel, boater’s supplies and repair services as well as a shipyard capable of hauling out most sizes of vessels.These folks are ready to help
Alaska Marine Highway System Reservations6858 Glacier Hwy.
Juneau, AK 99802-5535
800-642-0066
www.alaska.gov/ferry
City of Ketchikan Ports and Harbors Department
334 Front Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Phone: (907) 225-3111
www.city.ketchikan.ak.us
Inter-Island Ferry AuthorityCall Toll Free 866-308-4848
www.interislandferry.com
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