Ketchikan in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Tongass Trading Company

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 4, 2021

1. Tongass Trading Company Marker

Inscription.
Circa 1913

Historic Property

Presented by
Ketchikan Historical Commission

Erected by Ketchikan Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 55° 20.504′ N, 131° 38.838′ W. Marker is in Ketchikan, Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Marker is at the intersection of Front Street and Dock Street, on the right when traveling north on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 226 Front Street, Ketchikan AK 99901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Star-crossed Square Riggers (within shouting distance of this marker); Proud Canoes & Coastal Traders (within shouting distance of this marker); When 'Steam was Queen' (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gilmore Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Ketchikan Waterfront from Pennock Island, 1905 (within shouting distance of this marker); Upon 'Thundering Wings' (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Planks to Pavement (about 400 feet away); Keeping the Catch! (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.

Regarding Tongass Trading Company.

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Alaska's oldest business still in operation, Tongass Trading was founded by Henry C. Strong and Frederick C. Johnstone in September 1898 as Strong and Johnstone Co. Two years later they changed its name to Tongass Trading Co. The business initially catered to Southeast Alaska's mining industry, then expanded in the 1920s to serve the area's commercial fishing industry and later, the logging industry. It also added clothes, groceries and household goods. Today the company also sells souvenirs, fishing gear, hardware and a variety of other items to local residents and visitors.

Also see . . . Downtown Ketchikan, Alaska: A Survey of Historic Properties (PDF). Consultant report submitted in 2011 as part of efforts to create the Downtown Ketchikan Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. The Tongass Trading Co. building is a contributing structure. (Submitted on September 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 4, 2021

2. Tongass Trading Company Marker

Photographed By Julia Willma Weber, circa 1900

3. Tongass Trading Company Marker

View of Ketchikan's main street not long after Tongass Trading Co. & General Merchandise (right) was founded.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.