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Haines was originally settled by the Tlingit Native
tribes of the Chilkat and Chilkoot clans. They chose
this area because of its mild climate and the abundance
of fish and game. Near the end of the 18th century
when the first Caucasians came, the Chilkats were well
established as a powerful trading tribe. They became
quite rich by trading rendered fish oil for furs and skins
produced in the interior.
As an Anglo settlement, Haines was established in
1880 as a Presbyterian mission. The mission included
a school, church, and meeting hall and was named after
Mrs. F. E. Haines, the secretary of the Presbyterian
Home Mission. Commerce, farming, fishing, and
government followed the establishment of the mission
and contributed to the area’s growth.
Haines served as an important supply base for the
Porcupine mining district as well as the beginning of Whale watching in Juneau
the Dalton Trail to the gold fields. In 1903, an Army
fort was constructed. Fully garrisoned by 1905, its
purpose was to keep peace and maintain law and order short distance by air from Haines. protect critical habitat.
One of the best ways to experience the Bald Eagle
in this remote part of the new territory of Alaska in The Native people of the Haines area are impressive
the wake of the gold rush. Haines was incorporated artisans and craftsmen whose artwork often takes the Preserve is to explore by jet boat or float through it on
a raft trip, departing daily from Haines.
as a city in 1910. form of wood and totem pole carving, metalwork, and
Outdoor recreation of all kinds is enjoyed year- their famous Chilkat blanket weaving. The Alaska Juneau
round. Fishing for king, chum, pink and sockeye Indian Arts Center features native arts and crafts. Location: Southeast Alaska; 2 hours north of
salmon as well as halibut is excellent in Lynn Canal. Several notable totem poles are displayed in Haines: Seattle or 1.5 hours southeast of Anchorage by
Shellfish such as crab and shrimp are also caught; Friendship Pole in front of the Elementary School; jet. Population: 29,000. Visitor Information:
however, catches are regulated by the State of Alaska. Thunderbird Pole at Chilkat Center for the Arts; Twin Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800
Wildlife includes black and brown bear, moose, and Headed Poles at Waterfront Park on Beach Road; Glacier Avenue, Suite 201, Juneau, Alaska
mountain goats. The region around Haines is the only Welcome Totems at the town’s entrance on Haines 99801; Toll Free (888) 581-2201; Email: info@
place in Southeastern Alaska that supports mountain Highway and in Totem Village. traveljuneau.com; Website: www.traveljuneau.
goats and moose, and it is thought that these two Located in the center of downtown just off Main com.
species migrated into the area following the opening Street, the Haines Sheldon Museum has attractive
of the Haines Highway. displays of Native artifacts and early memorabilia of Alaska’s capital city since 1902, Juneau is
Located a 15 minute drive from Haines, Chilkoot Haines’ past. Additional attractions of special interest located in the heart of the famous Inside Passage
Lake State Recreation Site is very popular for salmon in Haines include Fort William H. Seward, Chilkat on Gastineau Channel. The Tongass Rainforest
fishing and bear viewing. With four salmon runs State Park and Klukwan Native Village. climate provides Juneau with lush terrain and vibrant
from mid-June to mid-October, the area is considered Located about 15 miles northeast of Haines, the wildflowers. Early settlers included miners during
something of a “bear highway.” Mother and cub brown Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is the site of the Alaska’s gold rush and Russian fur traders.
bears start showing up in July, and can often be seen largest gathering of bald eagles in the world, with as Long before the gold rush that resulted in the town
right on the road. The area can get a little cozy with many as 3,500 gathering along a four-mile stretch you see today, Juneau was home to the Auk band of
fishermen, buses and bears converging along the of the Chilkat River for a late salmon run. Warm Tlingit. The main village was located at Auke Bay,
mile-long Chilkoot River, which connects the lake water upwellings in the river keep this stretch ice- just a mile west of the current ferry terminal. Each
with saltwater fjords. free, providing access to fish when food supplies are summer, members of the Auk tribe would travel to a
Sight-seeing tour companies offer a variety of tours exhausted elsewhere. Eagles flock from as far away summer fish camp at the mouth of Dzantiki Heeni,
for travelers who are interested in natural history and as Washington State for the abundant feast. Starting a stream that is now called Gold Creek, to fish for
bird watching. A local tour boat operator offers trips in late October, eagles by the hundreds can be seen flounder. In fact, the gold rush to Juneau that began
on Chilkoot Lake, and three air services are available along the sand bars and in cottonwood trees on the in 1880 might never have occurred had it not been
for flightseeing trips to Glacier Bay, which is only a 49,000-acre Preserve. which was created in 1982 to for the Auk and their chief Kowee, who insisted that

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