Emmons House
Historic Sitka Alaska
Nearly 30 years later, in 1895, his son, George Thornton Emmons (1852-1945) and his wife, May (Baker) built the Emmons home for their family.
This American FourSquare house was a square, boxy design similar to others built in Sitka during the Transitional Period (1890-1930) in architecture. It was the first home in Sitka to have plastered walls.
Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy (1880-1899), George Thornton Emmons was stationed in Sitka and developed an intense interest in Tlingit culture. Many of the objects Emmons collected over the years were sold or donated to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the Field Museum in Chicago, and the University of Washington Seattle Burke Museum. Some of these objects have been returned to the native community. Emmons’ ethnological report on the Native tribes of Southerneastern Alaska remains an important resource. After George died in 1945 the manuscript was edited and published as the book, The Tlingit Indians (UW Press 1991) by Frederica de Laguna.
The Emmons house was captured in this historic photograph of aviation history. In 1929, the bi-plane named "Sitka” carrying a United States Navy crew to conduct a geological survey in Southeast Alaska landed in front of the Emmons house.
By 1966, the harbor was dredged and made Crescent
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Architecture. A significant historical date for this entry is October 18, 1867.
Location. 57° 3.077′ N, 135° 19.781′ W. Marker is in Sitka, Alaska, in Sitka Borough. Marker is at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Baranof Street, on the right when traveling west on Lincoln Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Lincoln Street, Sitka AK 99835, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Finding Common Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Russian Mission Orphanage (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Priest's House (about 400 feet away); Hanlon-Osbakken House (about 400 feet away); Russian Bishop's House (about 400 feet away); Sitka Woman's Club (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Michael's Cathedral (approx. ¼ mile away); Staton's Steakhouse and Cocktail Lounge (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sitka.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2018, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. This page has been viewed 332 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on June 13, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2018, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. 2. submitted on June 9, 2018, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. 3. submitted on June 13, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
