Fort Seward: An introduction to Alaska’s historical Port Chilkoot

Wind back the clock to when picturesque Port Chilkoot was a buzzing military hub. On this coastal walking tour, you’ll go back in time to experience this corner of Haines in its heyday when it was still called Fort Seward. You’ll visit the square where officers once marched, the area in which military wives did their washing and shopped around the barracks, and the spot where fishermen would unload thousands of salmon after a catch.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories about how the Tlingit elders negotiated with European settlers, and naturalists like John Muir explored the glaciers and jagged mountain peaks that encompass the port. This walking tour will take you from the Port Chilkoot Dock where you’ll find Haines’cruise ships and ferries, to the historical businesses and buildings that make up present-day Fort Seward.

You’ll see and learn about:

• Fort Seward’s service as a seat of military power during the World Wars
• The native origins of Haines and the Chilkat Valley
• Present-day businesses and culture in Haines
• Native art representation

This tour is set in one of Southeast Alaska’s most beautiful ports, and the history of Alaska lies within the story of Fort Seward. We invite you to wander through these historical alleys as we share with you the story of our beloved hometown.