These Small Towns in Alaska Have the Best Historic Districts

Known as the Last Frontier due to its untamed wilderness and natural beauty, Alaska is also a place whose history runs deep. Within the state’s vast area are several small towns that share the unique stories of Alaska’s past. Many of these towns have historic districts and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places that date back to the 1800s.

These small towns allow visitors to step back in time and explore Alaska’s rich maritime, mining, and Native history. From the island community of Sitka, where the United States acquired Alaska from Russia, to the Gold Rush and Iditarod account of Nome, several small towns offer a glimpse into Alaska's culture and history.

Sitka

The island community of Sitka offers a blend of history, wilderness, and culture. The island features Castle Hill, a historic site of Tlingit and Russian forts, where the United States purchased Alaska from Russia on October 18, 1867. Visitors can tour Castle Hill, as well as other historic sites in Sitka, such as Sitka National Historical Park. The park was the site of a battle between Russian traders and indigenous Tlingit. Today, the park features several totem poles from the Tlingit people. The park is also home to the Russian Bishop’s House, one of the last examples of Colonial Russian architecture. The home of St. Innocent, the first Orthodox saint in the Americas, tours of the building and exhibits about Russian America are offered from May to September.

Skagway

Located in southeast Alaska near Canada, the historic town of Skagway offers a glimpse into the Alaska Gold Rush during the late 1890s. Visitors can view Gold Rush-era sites in the Skagway Historic District, part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The district features 22 historic buildings, including the oldest structure in the town, a log cabin built in 1887 by Captain William Moore and his son J. Bernard (Ben) Moore. Located on the Moore Homestead, the log cabin sits next to a larger home built in 1897 by Ben Moore and his native Tlingit wife, Klinget-sai-yet Shotridge.

Visitors can also hop on board a scenic tour of the area on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. The railroad was built during the Gold Rush and features excursions from Skagway through the Klondike Trail.

Juneau

Situated along the Canadian border is Alaska’s capital, Juneau. The historic town has several landmarks and historical sites, including the Alaska Governor’s Mansion, built in 1912. The building is part of Juneau’s historic downtown, featuring the famous Red Dog Saloon. The saloon began during Alaska's mining era and houses unique Alaskan memorabilia. Another site from the Alaska Gold Rush is the Alaskan Hotel, Juneau’s oldest operational hotel. Built-in 1913, the well-preserved Victorian structure is on the National Register of Historic Places.

For those wanting to explore Gold Rush mining sites, Juneau offers tours during the summer at the AJ Mine and Gastineau Mill, as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. During the summer, visitors can also enjoy hiking the more than 250 miles of scenic trails in Juneau, including the accessible Perseverance Trail, moderate Mount Roberts Trail, and the strenuous Mount Juneau Trail. 

Ketchikan

Sitting along the Tongass National Forest and at the southernmost gateway to Alaska’s Inside Passage, Ketchikan offers a unique blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Travelers can explore the history and ecology of the coastal rainforest at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Since the town boasts the world's largest and oldest collection of totem poles, visitors can view totem poles in beautiful totem parks throughout the city and at the Totem Heritage Center. The center is part of Ketchikan Museums, which also features the Tongass Historical Museum, which shares its history and heritage through various exhibits.

Ketchikan is also a fishing town known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Visitors can view historic fishing structures along Creek Street, a historic boardwalk along the banks of Ketchikan Creek. For those looking to explore the waters, anglers can fish in the open waters or with a local fishing guide.

Nome

There truly is no place like Nome, Alaska. Located in the Bering Strait region, Nome has been home to the Inupiaq people for thousands of years. Visitors can learn more about Inupiaq's history, culture, and art, as well as the town’s Gold Rush history, at the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum. To view architecture from the Gold Rush era, visiting Old St. Joseph’s Church, commonly called Old St. Joe’s Hall, is a must. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old St. Joe’s is the only early Gothic architecture built of wood in the state.

Although Nome has a rich and diverse history, the town is probably most famous for hosting the finish of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in March. The city celebrates the Iditarod with two weeks of activities, including a golf tournament, a snowmachine race, and an art and craft fair.

Cordova

Situated on the east coast of Prince William Sound, Cordova is a fishing community that offers visitors a glimpse into Alaska’s maritime and railroad history. The Cordova Historical Museum features exhibits of the area’s marine life, works by local artists, and items from Cordova’s railroad days in the early 1900s. For history buffs and railroad enthusiasts, the Million Dollar Bridge should not be missed. The bridge was completed in 1910 for the Copper River and Northwestern Railway, connecting Cordova to Childs Glacier over the Copper River.

Also located in Cordova is the Native Village of Eyak, which offers visitors a look at Native history, culture, and art. The village showcases prehistoric, historic, and modern tribal artifacts at the Ilanka Cultural Center Museum. The museum is also home to only one of five orca whale skeletons worldwide, providing visitors with a unique view of maritime life.

Seward

Nestled between majestic mountains and the Pacific Ocean is the coastal town of Seward, Alaska. The city was named for President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, William Henry Seward, who was responsible for securing the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. Founded in 1903 as part of the Alaskan Railroad, visitors can take a historic and scenic tour of the charming port town or the Kenai Fjords National Park from the Seward Depot. For those wanting to learn more about the town’s history, exhibits are displayed at the Seward Community Library and Museum. 

Seward is also home to Mile 0 on the Iditarod Trail, which began as a mail and supply route from Seward to interior mining camps and northern Alaskan villages. Visitors can view the Iditarod Historic Trail Statue and Mile Marker 0 in Waterfront Park.

A Step Back in Time

Exploring these small towns provides a glimpse into Alaska’s extraordinary past, rich culture, and unique heritage. From the Native Village of Eyak in Cordova to cities that flourished during the Gold Rush era, each town features historic districts that preserve Alaska’s past. For those wanting to learn more about Alaska’s cultural heritage, mining history, or maritime past, these small towns offer the best historic districts against Alaska's breathtaking landscapes.