Ketchikan snakes for several miles along the southwestern shore of Revillagigedo Island,
facing Tangass Narrows. With 14,000 inhabitants, the fourth largest community is known as
"Alaska's First City" because it is the first town travelers reach when ferrying north.
The city was established in 1887 when a salmon cannery was built at the mouth of the
Ketchikan Creek. Today fishermen and loggers still contribute to a colorful atmosphere in
the cafes and bars around the waterfront. In Ketchikan, rainfall is measured in feet, not
inches, averaging over 14 feet each year. As you can see from the photos, they are adding
to this year's total.
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