Impressions of Indian River: Cultural Landscape Report, Sitka National Historical Park, National Park Service

Smith-Middleton, Holly; Alanen, Arnold

This study traces the history of Sitka National Historical Park, both in terms of the changes that took place in its physical landscape, and of the role that the land has played in the dynamic community in which it is situated. Situated within the mountainous Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska, the park occupies a low, relatively level site encompassing the mouth of the Indian River as it flows into Sitka Sound. Currently functioning both as a local park and as a tourist destination, the park has a cultural history that is long and rich: it has been an important locale for the Tlingit, the native people of the region, then to Russian fur-hunters and colonists, and ultimately to American settlers. This historic landscape study of the site encompasses all of these periods of occupation, and addresses a series of specific research objectives. To document Tlingit accounts of the battle of 1804 and, whenever possible, native use of the landscape just prior to 1804. To determine the character and use of what is now the park during the period of Russian occupation (1804-1867) To determine, to the extent possible, what was occurring at the site during the latter part of the nineteenth century and the very early twentieth century (1867-1904). To determine the landscape setting and context for the site when the totem poles were erected in the park during the early twentieth century, and evaluate the landscape changes that have occurred over time. To document the changes that occurred to the site prior to 1940, during, and following World War II.This document, which reports the results of that research, will supply the baseline historical and cultural information to facilitate the development of management guidelines for the park. The park landscape was changed significantly by the dredging and flooding that occurred in the Indian River during and after WWII, and by the development of visitor facilities in the 1960s. In addition, the growth of the forest and the development of beach ridges have dramatically transformed the Tlingit fort and battle site. Nevertheless, despite these localized changes, the overall character of the site is very similar to its historic character at the time the monument was created. The natural processes of forest growth remain the largest agent of change. Protecting that process, and at the same time, preserving the intact cultural features will be the objective of future landscape management recommendations.

Impressions of Indian River: Cultural Landscape Report, Sitka National Historical Park, National Park Service

Series

Collections