Saxman Totem Park
An outdoor park of carved poles in the Tlingit village of Saxman, a short ride south of downtown.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026
An outdoor park of carved poles in the Tlingit village of Saxman, a short ride south of downtown.
Read more about its history
- Saxman Totem Park: National Register nomination National Park Service (NRHP nomination)
- Totem Heritage Center: why the old poles came to town ALASKA.ORG
Highlights
- Poles gathered from abandoned Tlingit villages including Old Tongass, Cat Island, Village Island, Pennock Island and Cape Fox
- Many poles were rebuilt by Tlingit carvers under the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps program
- Includes the Lincoln pole, the Sun and Raven pole and a marble grizzly bear monument
- Carving shed where Native artists work on commissioned poles
Facts checked October 18, 2026 with en.wikipedia.org, alaska.org, visitktn.com. Hours and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Visiting Saxman →More in Totems & History
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Tongass Historical Museum
The city museum on Ketchikan's story, from Tlingit fish camp to cannery town, steps from Creek Street.
Round out your day
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