SITKA Administrative History

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER

Sgt. John J. McLean, U.S. Signal Service (right), Assistant Paymaster Edwin B. Webb, U.S. Navy, ca. 1885, on Indian River bridge.
(Fickett Collection, University of Alaska Anchorage Archives)

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER 1: DESCRIPTION OF THE RESOURCE

Introduction
    Overview
    Geographic location
    Physical environment
    Cultural environment

Component Resources
    Early component resources
    Park-like use
    Indian River protection
    Component resources in 1910
    Witch tree and recreation use
    Supplements to original resources

Summary

CHAPTER 2: SITKA -- HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Overview
    Tlingits
    Social structure
    Euro-Americans discover Sitka
    The First Russians at Sitka
    Sitka becomes Russian America capital
    Americans take over
    Sitka settles down

CHAPTER 3: SITKA NATIONAL MONUMENT, EARLY YEARS

Introduction
    Overview

Monument Administration
    Agencies vie for monument control
    First report documents Sitka National Monument
    Appropriations and visitation increase
    Officials search for Sitka's first custodian
    Administration in the 1920s
    New administrators demonstrate interest
    The park service proposes a full-time custodian

Resource Issues
    Resource management problems
    Blockhouse becomes monument resource
    Steese proposes additional resources
    New poles proposed for Sitka
    Merrill plaque proposed
    Territorial governor intiates totem pole project

CHAPTER 4: SITKA NATIONAL MONUMENT, MIDDLE YEARS

Introduction
    Overview
    The Context Changes

Monument Administration, 1940-1965
    Investigation Comments
    Sitka's First Trained Custodian
    Initial National Monument Planning
    Miller shapes custodian's duties
    World War II
    War's end brings a new custodian
    Abandonment alternative
    Sitka custodian takes up cemetery duties
    Alaska Field Committee recommends Sitka development
    Second segment of middle years
    Planning continues
    Boundaries and vistas
    Superintendent's position moves to Juneau
    Visitation and use
    Park personnel changes

Resource Issues, 1940-1965
    Development ideas
    Totem pole preservation
    Gravel operations
    Gravel problems
    Tlingit fort site and blockhouse replica
    Preservation Professionalism and Sitka

CHAPTER 5: SITKA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, 1966-1986

Introduction
    Overview
    The changing context

Monument/Park Administration
    Expansion of the monument
    Staff
    Visitation
    Administrative issues
    Planning
    Public involvement and reaction to the park

Resource Issues
    Visitor center and fort site
    Storm damage and erosion
    Water rights
    Totem pole restoration
    Russian blockhouse
    Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center
    Russian Bishop's House
    Russian Bishop's House administration

Conclusion

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDICES

A: Chronology of Significant Documents/Key Legislation
B: Copies of Significant Documents/Key Legislation
C: Boundary and Other Maps
D: Key On-Site Managing Personnel 1910 - 1940
E: Key NPS Personnel, 1940 to Present
F: Visitor Statistics
G: Itemization of Management Plans
H: Operating Budgets Since 1938
I: Dates, Locations, Acreags of Boundary Changes

ENDNOTES

TABLE OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1. Sgt. John J. McLean, U.S. Signal Service (right), Assistant Paymaster Edwin B. Webb, U.S. Navy, ca. 1885, on Indian River bridge.
Figure 2. Indian River before 1882
Figure 3. 2d Lt. Howard H. Gilman, USMC, at Sitka
Figure 4. Indian River bridge, ca. 1904
Figure 5. Totem poles at Old Kasaan, 1908
Figure 6. Lovers Lane, 1908
Figure 7. The Witch Tree
Figure 8. Tlingit ceremonial festival
Figure 9. Naval Air Station, Sitka, 1944
Figure 10. Lovers Lane, ca. 1935
Figure 11. Indian River, date unknown
Figure 12. Totem Walk, Sitka National Monument, ca. 1935
Figure 13. Aerial view of Sitka, July 9, 1965
Figure 14. Russian Bishop's House
Figure 15. Visitor Center, Sitka National Historical Park, 1983