Sitka in Sitka Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Sentinel of a Divided Town

Sitka Blockhouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011

1. Sitka Blockhouse Marker

Inscription. The replica blockhouse before you, a symbol of Russia's role in Alaska's history, represents the walled fortifications that defined the limits of its control.

These blockhouses, or watchtowers, each housing cannons, protected the Russian sentries from wind and rain as they guarded Novo-Archangelsk (present day Sitka).

Originally the Russians built capital D-shaped five-sided blockhouse on this site facing up Sitka Channel. It overlooked the gate between the Russian outpost and the adjacent Tlingit village. An octagonal blockhouse stood within sight of the crest of the hill, while at the far eastern end of the wall stood a small, square blockhouse by the stream flowing out of Swan Lake.

Maps indicate that the small, square blockhouse was removed soon after the 1867 transfer of Alaska from Russia to America. Badly rotted, the D-shaped blockhouse was dismantled in 1899, and the octagonal one was dismantled in 1921.

In 1926 civic-minded citizens, including the Alaska Native Brotherhood, raised funds and built an octagonal reproduction blockhouse at Sitka National Monument. After decay attacked that structure, a

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second octagonal reproduction was built at this site in 1962.

Erected by Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 57° 3.039′ N, 135° 20.326′ W. Marker is in Sitka, Alaska, in Sitka Borough. It is on Marine Street just north of Seward Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Marine Street, Sitka AK 99835, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Alaska,

in Tlingit and Haida & Tsimshian Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Russian Blockhouse #1 (here, next to this marker); Russia Intrudes on the Land of the Tlingit

Sentinel of a Divided Town Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2026

2. Sentinel of a Divided Town Marker

(here, next to this marker); Church Between Two Peoples (a few steps from this marker); Saint Yakov Netsvetov (within shouting distance of this marker); In Appreciation (within shouting distance of this marker); 250th Anniversary of the Bering-Chirikov Expedition (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sitka's Pioneer Home (about 300 feet away); Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sitka.

Sitka Blockhouse and Interpretive Placard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011

3. Sitka Blockhouse and Interpretive Placard

Marker shown in its previous location.

Sitka Blockhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011

4. Sitka Blockhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2019, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on May 15, 2019, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. Photos: 1. submitted on May 15, 2019, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 2. submitted on August 21, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on May 15, 2019, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.