Located on an island, Ketchikan began life as an Indian fishing camp. The name Ketchikan comes from a Tlingit phrase that means “eagle with spread-out wings”, a reference to a waterfall near town.
Visitors to Ketchikan will be intrigued by its rich Native American heritage, which includes the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at Totem Heritage Center. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sport fishing paradise. Sightseers will be impressed with both the scenic town and its surroundings, especially Misty Fjords National Monument.