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. It 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.

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,

the Inside Passage,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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: Star-crossed Square Riggers (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Proud Canoes & Coastal Traders (within shouting distance of this marker); When 'Steam was Queen' (within shouting distance of this marker); J.R. Heckman Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank (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); Pioneer Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.

Regarding Tongass Trading Company. 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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 4, 2021

2. Tongass Trading Company Marker

residents and visitors.

Also see . . .
1. Tongass Trading Company. Alaska.org website entry (Submitted on October 16, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Historic Ketchikan. Website homepage (Submitted on September 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

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 October 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 477 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.