PHOTO: WILD IRIS PHOTOGRAPHY
History & Culture
A Unique Celebration of Two Worlds
Southeast Alaska's Most Distinctive Community
Welcome to Petersburg—Southeast Alaska's remarkable Norwegian fishing town and one of the most culturally unique communities in the region! While most other Southeast Alaska towns trace their origins to Native heritage, Petersburg stands out as a thriving Norwegian settlement that has flourished alongside and in deep respect for the indigenous Tlingit culture that first called these waters home. This extraordinary blend creates a cultural celebration you won't find anywhere else in Alaska, where Nordic traditions and Native wisdom come together in perfect harmony around a shared love of the sea.
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Where Two Fishing Cultures Unite
What makes Petersburg truly special is how both Norwegian and Tlingit cultures celebrate their deep connection to these abundant waters. For over 2,000 years, Tlingit hunters and fishermen used Mitkof Island as rich hunting and fishing grounds, developing sophisticated knowledge of these marine ecosystems. When Norwegian pioneer Peter Buschmann arrived in 1897, he recognized not only the incredible fishing opportunities but also the wisdom of working with, rather than displacing, the understanding that indigenous peoples had cultivated for millennia. Today, both cultures thrive side by side, each contributing their unique traditions to Petersburg's vibrant fishing heritage.
3 PHOTOS: TROY LARSON
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
3 PHOTOS: CAITLYN WARE
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
The Norwegian Dream, Peter Buschmann's Vision
In 1897, a Norwegian pioneer named Peter Buschmann arrived and saw something extraordinary: the pristine, crystal-clear ice from LeConte Glacier could revolutionize the fishing industry!
By providing this natural refrigeration to fishing boats, vessels could venture farther and stay out longer, keeping large hauls of fish fresh during extended trips back to the cannery. With the vision of an entrepreneur and the determination of a true Alaskan pioneer, he built the Icy Strait Packing Company cannery, a sawmill, and a dock that would transform this remote location into a thriving fishing community.
Buschmann's family homesteads attracted waves of Scandinavian settlers who saw opportunity in these fish-rich waters. By 1920, 600 hardy souls called Petersburg home year-round, creating a unique blend of Nordic traditions and frontier spirit that defines our community to this day.
Innovation in the Wilderness
Petersburg has always been ahead of the curve in Alaska's seafood industry:
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1916: Earl Ohmer founded Alaskan Glacier Seafoods—Alaska's very first shrimp processor
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1926: Knut Thompson built a cutting-edge cold storage plant
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1965: Icicle Seafoods was founded, becoming one of Alaska's largest seafood companies
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2020: Ocean Beauty Seafoods (founded 1910) and Icicle Seafoods merged their Alaska operations to create OBI Seafoods
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Today: Petersburg's original cannery continues operating as part of OBI Seafoods, making it one of Alaska's longest continuously operating seafood processing facilities
Learn more about this rich seafood heritage at OBI Seafoods' history page.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
Ancient Beginnings,
The Tlingit Legacy
Keepers of the Land and Sea Long before any European set foot in Southeast Alaska, Tlingit hunters and fishermen discovered the incredible abundance of Mitkof Island and these waters over 2,000 years ago, establishing rich hunting and fishing grounds that sustained their communities for countless generations.
Their wisdom and ingenuity still amaze visitors today—walk along our shoreline at low tide and you'll find yourself among the remarkable remains of ancient fish traps and mysterious petroglyphs that speak of a sophisticated culture perfectly adapted to this marine paradise.
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Today, Alaska Natives comprise over 10% of Petersburg's population, and our federally recognized Petersburg Indian Association (PIA) continues to be a vital part of our community's heart and soul. At the corner of Haugen and Nordic Drives, two magnificent totem poles stand as living storytellers, sharing the epic journey of Tlingit ancestors who traveled down the mighty Stikine River to make this spectacular region their home.
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Living Traditions The indigenous knowledge and cultural practices of our Tlingit community continue to enrich Petersburg's character through both ancient traditions and modern community programs. PIA actively preserves and promotes indigenous heritage while serving both tribal citizens and the broader community through trail maintenance, community infrastructure projects like sidewalks and affordable housing, and various social services and cultural initiatives.
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Traditional subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering remain vital aspects of Tlingit culture, protected under federal law as essential to physical, economic, traditional, and cultural existence. These practices continue to connect Tlingit elders with youth, preserving traditional ecological knowledge while providing healthy, economical food for families.
Community Built
On The Sea
Official Recognition & Growth On April 20, 1910, the busy, bustling town of Petersburg officially incorporated, cementing its place as one of Southeast Alaska's most important communities. More than a century later, we remain proudly rooted in our maritime heritage while celebrating the cultural richness that makes us unique in the region.
Today's Petersburg
A Cultural Celebration Our community of approximately 3,100 year-round residents swells each summer with seasonal cannery workers, deckhands, and fishermen, creating an exciting energy that pulses through town. Nearly 50,000 visitors annually discover what locals have always known-Petersburg is something truly special in Southeast Alaska.
Economic Powerhouse The commercial fishing industry remains our largest employer, but Petersburg's economy reflects our diverse character: ​
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Fishing & Seafood Processing - Our maritime heritage continues
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Tourism & Visitor Services - Sharing our paradise with the world
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Government Services - Borough, state, and federal agencies
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Retail & Local Business - Supporting our vibrant community
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Sustainable Logging - Responsibly managing our forest resources
PHOTO: PSG BOROUGH
The US Forest Service plays a vital role in our community, not only managing the surrounding Tongass National Forest but also partnering with the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce to operate our visitor center, providing essential information about wilderness access, recreation opportunities, and forest service cabin reservations. Learn more at the US Forest Service Tongass website.
Norwegian Spirit in Full Display
Walk through downtown and you'll immediately feel Petersburg's Norwegian soul, especially vibrant each May when the entire community comes alive with Nordic pride. During Little Norway Festival, residents and visitors alike proudly wear their traditional Norwegian sweaters or beautiful handmade bunads-some treasured family heirlooms passed down through generations, others lovingly crafted new. Every style and region of Norway is represented in these stunning traditional costumes that transform our streets into a Scandinavian showcase.
PHOTOS: CAITLYN WARE
Throughout May, Norwegian flags flutter from every corner of downtown, with a magnificent large flag flying proudly over the Sons of Norway Hall and welcoming visitors at the town entrance. Throughout the year, especially during fall and winter months, families lovingly prepare traditional Norwegian recipes at home-delicate lefse, sweet krumkake, tangy pickled herring, and all manner of pickled delicacies including octopus and shrimp that reflect our maritime heritage.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
PHOTO: PSG
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
The Norwegian traditions extend well beyond May celebrations. Each early December, the Sons of Norway sponsors a spirited pickled herring contest that brings out the competitive spirit and culinary creativity of local cooks. Come Christmas time, the entire downtown participates in Julebukking, the charming Norwegian tradition where local merchants offer customers amazing seafood delights, familiar Norwegian pastries, warming spirits, and local favorites like smoked salmon in appreciation of their business throughout the year.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
PHOTO GALLERY: CAITLYN WARE
PHOTO: PSG BOROUGH
Art & Cultural Expression
Despite our small size, Petersburg boasts a remarkably large and thriving community of local artists. Throughout Petersburg, you'll find an array of galleries and stores celebrating local and Southeast Alaska Native artists alongside Norwegian-inspired artwork and contemporary local artists who bring their unique perspective of Petersburg life to their work. These venues feature exquisite Tlingit and Haida handmade wares including intricate baskets, stunning jewelry, and other beautiful traditional crafts, as well as Norwegian rosemaling art, traditional woodwork, and Nordic-inspired pieces, plus original works by local artists that capture the spirit and beauty of our remarkable community. These aren't just tourist shops—they're genuine celebrations of living culture where traditional knowledge from both Tlingit and Norwegian heritage, combined with contemporary artistic vision, informs the vibrant art scene that makes Petersburg special.
PROTECTED BY NATURES DESIGN
Here's Petersburg's beautiful secret: the winding, narrow Wrangell Narrows that lead to our community are too shallow and narrow for large cruise ships to navigate. What some might see as a limitation, we celebrate as our greatest gift! This natural barrier means Petersburg remains blissfully free from the crowds of thousands that descend on other Alaska ports.
PHOTO: WILD IRIS PHOTOGRAPHY
AUTHENTICITY IN ACTION
In an age of manufactured tourist experiences, Petersburg offers something increasingly rare: genuine authenticity. This is a working fishing community where cultural traditions aren't performed for visitors-they're simply how we live. You won't find jewelry shops lining our streets or crowds blocking harbor views. Instead, you'll discover a community where fishermen still mend nets on the docks, where locals chat with visitors like old friends, and where the only show in town is the spectacular daily drama of real Alaska life unfolding before your eyes.
PHOTO: TROY LARSON
WHERE PAST MEETS PRESENT
Petersburg perfectly balances honoring our rich cultural heritage with embracing the future. Ancient Tlingit fishing sites serve as honored reminders of our heritage while modern processing facilities welcome fishermen from all backgrounds, Norwegian festivals celebrate alongside contemporary art shows, and traditional knowledge from both cultures informs cutting-edge sustainable practices.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
A UNIQUE SOUTHEAST ALASKA EXPERIENCE
What makes Petersburg truly extraordinary is that nowhere else in Southeast Alaska will you find this particular blend of cultures. While other communities proudly celebrate their Native heritage as their primary identity, Petersburg offers visitors the rare opportunity to experience a thriving Norwegian fishing town that has grown up alongside and in celebration of indigenous Tlingit culture. It's this respectful coexistence and mutual celebration that creates the warm, welcoming atmosphere visitors remember long after they leave.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
Come discover Petersburg, where 2,000 years of Tlingit wisdom meets Norwegian innovation, where fishing boats share harbors with totem poles, where ancient traditions and Nordic celebrations create something wonderfully unique in Southeast Alaska. This is more than a visit—it's an invitation to experience the most distinctive cultural blend in Alaska.