George Inlet Lodge
George Inlet Lodge rests on the shores of the spectacular George Inlet waterway!
This picturesque lodge is accessible by road 15 miles south of Ketchikan . As
a former cannery bunkhouse, it was built in the 1940's and housed primarily the
upper echelon of commercial fishing. After the cannery's unfortunate closing in
1970, two local businessmen, in an epic undertaking, had the lodge jacked up from
its foundation and lowered onto a log raft. Towed for over 70 miles, the log raft
was forced to cross the waters of the Inside Passage from Hidden Inlet, located
on the Portland Canal.
It
is nothing short of miraculous that the 40 x 70 foot, hundred ton, three-story
structure survived the relocation in tact. Since the pivotal year of 1974, the
lodge has operated as an excellent sport fishing retreat complete with fine dining
and cocktails. The rustic yet elegant atmosphere of the George Inlet Lodge is
sure to provide you with a memorable experience of your visit to Alaska.
The Old Mahoney Mine
Gold Fever brought the first miners to
Ketchikan in hopes of “striking it rich” in a less crowded terrain.
Although some gold was discovered, most of the mines produced less profitable
finds… minerals. In 1970, Lloyd Martin and William Basey, doing business as Kina
Enterprises, started mining a lead-silver-zinc vein near the shores of George
Inlet past the end of the road. They constructed a 20-ton per day flotation mill
using a salvaged ball mill from the Sea Level gold mine in Thorne Arm. Leaving
some passersby to think it was an abandoned gold mine.
Because
production of the mine is unknown, the question lingers, was one cent of profit
turned for all their labored efforts? The mine has since closed leaving a visible
old short mine shaft with its overhead stoop and rusty sawmill.
George Inlet Packing Cannery
Seafood is one of the most valuable
resources in the state of Alaska . It was the cannery that was the beginning of
Ketchikan in 1887. After the fishing season, most inhabitants would leave and
would not return until the next season. It was the technique of canning that made
the abundant Alaskan salmon available to the nation and the world since the fresh
catch could not be taken directly to the market from such an isolated place. Opening
in 1914, the George Inlet Cannery packed fish most years until 1927. In 1934 the
main cannery was rebuilt adding a diesel engine, but closed during World War II.
After the war it reopened and operated until 1958. Fishing remained the economy's
mainstay and this cannery was one of seven, that combined, produced almost two
million cases of salmon each year. For years the building was used for warehouse
and fisherman's storage. The cannery reopened in 1996 as a historic landmark and
tourism property.
Mahoney Bight & Waterfall
Mahoney Falls is just one awesome
stop on this adventure. The impressive falls offer excellent photo opportunities
of the “breathtaking” Alaskan wilderness. Mahoney Bight is a natural Salmon run
and beginning in June throughout the summer, you can witness thousands of salmon
as they run in and out of the bight with the tide. In 1954, when the salmon runs
were extremely low, the USF&WS equipped a group of 45 enforcement officers
to patrol a twelve mile stretch of water as stream guards to prevent illegal fishing.
This action proved instrumental to the huge returns of salmon to Mahoney today.
Today the salmon
runs have returned in full force and this natural spawning ground also produces
a feeding ground for all kinds of Southeast Alaska wildlife…eagles, black bears,
gulls, seals… which in turn attracts… killer whales and fishermen. The bight teems
with Pinks, chum and Sockeye salmon by the thousands.
Timber
Ketchikan is located in the middle of 17 million acres
of Tongass National Forests. Timber crews once logged Spruce and White pine using
high - lead yarding to spar trees. The logs were swung to the beach by skyline
or moved by Caterpillar tractors on rough roads built into the woods. Only 3%
(636,000 acres) of the Tongass National Forest was available for actual timber
harvest over a one hundred year period.
Since
passing the roadless initiative, logging has been shut down in the Tongass National
Forest.
Crab Spawning Grounds
Our premier
Dungeness Crab spawning ground; this tidal estuary is home to a wide array of
shore birds and waterfowl as well as larger mammals. The island once operated
as a fox farm but eventually became a log storage ground in 1944. With predominant
features of grass and mud flats, in 1960, the tidelands were leased and operated
as an oyster farm. This Eco-system provides a perfect haven for abundant wildlife
and towering forests.
Make
your reservations today!
