Old Sitka Site
Redoubt St. Archangel Michael Site | |
 This Russian plate was buried at the time of the settlement's establishment, and is now in a Sitka museum. | |
  | |
| Nearest city | Sitka, Alaska |
|---|---|
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1799 |
| Architectural style | No Style Listed |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000166 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966[1] |
| Designated NHL | June 13, 1962[2] |
The Old Sitka Site, now in Old Sitka State Historical Park, is a National Historic Landmark near Sitka, Alaska. Now of archaeological interest, the site, about 7 miles (11 km) north of Sitka at the end of Halibut Point Road, was the site of the early Russian-American Company settlement known as Redoubt St. Archangel Michael (Russian: форт Архангела Михаила, r "Fort Arkhangela Mikhaila"). It was the first non-Native settlement on Baranof Island. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962, and was made a state park in 1966.[3]
History
In 1779, Alexander Baranov, a leader of the Russian-American Company, arrived near the site of modern Sitka, and negotiated with the local Tlingit people for a site on which the company could establish an outpost. Although he would have preferred what is now called Castle Hill in Sitka, he was granted this site on Starrigavan Bay. It was not until 1799 that the company established a presence, building a number of log buildings, surrounded by a palisade. In 1802 the Tlingit attacked and destroyed the premises.[3] The Russians returned to the area in force in 1804, and established a permanent presence at Castle Hill after the Battle of Sitka.[4]
The site was excavated in 1934-35, at which time archaeologists recovered numerous artifacts and identified the locations of the Russian buildings. In the years that followed the site was partially compromised by erosion and construction activity. The state built a wayside stop at the site in 1966, and now operates it has a state park.[3] It was designated a National Historic Landmark (as "Redoubt St. Archangel Michael Site") in 1962,[2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 (as "Old Sitka Site").[1]
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Alaska
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ a b "National Historic Landmark: Redoubt St. Archangel Michael Site". National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ^ a b c "Russian American Theme National Historic Landmarks (PDF page 353)" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-10-01.
- ^ William S. Hanable (April 4, 1975) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: American Flag-Raising Site (AHRS Site Sit 002) / Baranov Castle / Castle Hill, National Park Service and Accompanying 5 photos, from 1954, 1965, 1967.
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Census areas | |||
There are no sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Kusilvak Census Area. | |||
| Topics | |
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| Lists by insular areas | |
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| Other areas | |
| Related | |
- State parks of Alaska
- National Historic Landmarks in Alaska
- Protected areas of Sitka City and Borough, Alaska
- Russian-American culture in Alaska
- Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Alaska
- Populated places established in 1799
- National Register of Historic Places in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska