About Ketchikan & Our Beginning
Welcome to Alaska's First City!
The natural beauty of Ketchikan, Alaska, draws millions of visitors from around the world each year, thanks to its stunning coastal rainforest backdrop, abundant wildlife, and rich indigenous cultural heritage. Today, Ketchikan is also known as the Salmon Capital of the World or Alaska’s First City because it’s generally your initial port of call on a cruise up through the famous Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska.
The Tlingit name for Ketchikan is pronounced and transcribed as Kichx̱áan, which translates to “Thundering Wings of an Eagle”. This early interpretation accurately describes the abundance of eagles commonly found fishing for salmon and thriving around the city’s famous settlement point, Ketchikan Creek.
Are you planning your visit to Ketchikan? Whether you’ll be traveling independently or by cruise ship, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to attend a renowned historical walking tour or Tlingit cultural presentation hosted by Where The Eagle Walks.
Established in 1991, Where The Eagle Walks is locally owned and operated by Joe Williams, Jr., a Tlingit Indian born and raised in Saxman Village, located three miles south of downtown Ketchikan. Joe has previously served as Mayor of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Saxman. Today, he serves as the elected Tribal President for the Organized Village of Saxman.
Family is tremendously important to Joe and his wife, Suzi, who’ve been married for 52 years. They met in Anchorage while pursuing their degrees and now enjoy spending time with their six beautiful children and ten grandchildren. Joe and Suzi welcome you and your family to the enchanting city of Ketchikan!