Totem Bight State Historic Park near Ketchikan in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Clan House
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, August 6, 2026
1. Clan House Marker
By the 1800's the Tlingit and Haida Indians of Southeast Alaska had developed a very sophisticated and highly stratified society. This clan house, in a natural setting similar to historic Tlingit and Haida villages, along with the surrounding totem art, interprets Southeastern Alaskan Native social customs, technology and art.
Representing an early nineteenth century chieftain's dwelling, this building combines traditional features with unusual innovations. The low oval entrance, for example, is typical of the large timber houses, while the facades with stylized raven decorated only a few buildings. The columns against the front corner posts are carvings of a man wearing a spruce hat with crest design, sitting with a cane in his hand. Animals dominate Tlingit and Haida clan heraldry and religion. Both groups consider the raven as a symbol of the Creator Of the prominent animals symbolized include the eagle, wolf, salmon, shark, killer whale, beaver, and frog.
The interior, one large room has a square firepit and platform against the walls. Several families would have shared the house, each allotted space but using
this page online
This structure is one of three replicas in Southeastern Alaska constructed-between 1938 and 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
On October 27, 1970 Totem Bight State Historic Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected by Alaska Heritage Resources Survey. (Marker Number KET-014.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is October 27, 1970.
Location. 55° 25.219′ N, 131° 46.335′ W. Marker is near Ketchikan, Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough. It is in Totem Bight State Historic Park. It can be reached from Totem Bight Road south of North Tongass Highway, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9883 N Tongass Hwy, 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
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, August 6, 2026
2. Clan House Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Transforming Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Artists (within shouting distance of this marker); A Look Into the Clan House (within shouting distance of this marker); Houses of Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Clan House Construction (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Aging in the Elements (within shouting distance of this marker); Continuing the Cycle (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 3, 2026
3. Inside the Clan House
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026
4. Clan House
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Last updated on August 8, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 3, 4. submitted on September 10, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
