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

Types of Totem Poles

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

1. Types of Totem Poles Marker

Inscription.
Contrary to early missionary belief, totem poles were never worshipped. Some served to record stories and family histories, proclaim wealth and status, or honor the dead. Others grace house fronts or serve as posts that support the clan houses.

House Posts & Poles
House posts are inside the clan houses. They support the heavy center beams and display family crests. House frontal poles often stand against house fronts and may contain the entrance door.

Memorial Poles
Appropriate crests and figures adorn these poles, raised to signify closure to the mourning of a deceased clan leader. They also validate transfer of status and title to a successor.

Grave Markers
Southeast Alaska Native customs did not include ground burials until after Europeans arrived. Once burial became custom, carved columns were used as grave markers.

Heraldic Poles
These story-telling poles stand free of the house and document events and social standing. Their figures commemorate important events, origins and genealogy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 55° 25.217′ N,

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131° 46.407′ W. Marker is in Ketchikan, Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough. It can be reached from Totem Bight Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in 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, 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: Understanding Totem Poles (within shouting distance of this marker); Harvest from the Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Transforming Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Artists (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving the Past (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

2. Types of Totem Poles Marker

Aging in the Elements (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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.

More about this marker. Photographs on the marker depict the different types of Totem Poles that are described on the marker.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

3. Types of Totem Poles Marker

Inside the clan house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

4. Inside the clan house

House posts are dseen here inside the clan houses.

House frontal poles image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

5. House frontal poles

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 15, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.