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

Trees of Monumental Value

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

1. Trees of Monumental Value Marker

Inscription.
The Pacific Northwest Coast Natives have a strong sense of belonging to the land and water, which reflects the spirit and substance of their culture. The rainforest provides raw material for shelter, fuel, fiber, transportation, and food such as berries, roots, deer and bears.

Long Lasting Cedar
Decay resistant cedar is the wood of choice for canoes, bentwood boxes, houses and totem poles. Canoes are made from a single log. The final shaping involves steaming accomplished by putting water in the canoe, then adding fire heated rocks. Slabs from cedar logs become house planks. Totem poles are made of cedar trees from deep in the forest where they grow tall and straight while competing for sunlight.

The Right Tree for the Task
Wood from large trees in this rainforest is a valuable commodity to Natives living here. Red cedar is the most valued. The soft and straight-grained cedar is easy to work. Sitka spruce is used for its strength and light weight. Hemlock’s use is limited because of the challenge its tough wood presents for traditional tools. Alder does not impart flavor so is valued for making bowls and implements. When burned

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however, alder provides the best flavor for smoking fish.

Watertight Weave
Watertight baskets are made of tightly woven spruce roots as are the wide-brimmed, conical hats. These and rain capes woven from cedar bark were essential for life in the rainforest. Baskets made for fish storage have a looser weave for ventilation. Ornate designs, characteristic of these Natives, are woven into these items using contrasting colored grasses and ferns.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 55° 25.269′ N, 131° 46.293′ W. Marker is in Ketchikan, Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough. It is on Totem Bight Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is near the entrance to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9883 North Tongass Highway, 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,

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

2. Trees of Monumental Value Marker

it is in North America,

in the Inside Passage,

on 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: Valuable Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Clan House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Transforming Trees (about 500 feet away); Original Artists (about 500 feet away); Preserving the Past (about 500 feet away); Aging in the Elements (about 500 feet away); A Look Into the Clan House (about 500 feet away); Houses of Heritage (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

3. Trees of Monumental Value Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.