Castle Hill (Baranof Castle State Historic Site)
Small hilltop park above the harbor where Russia handed Alaska to the United States in 1867; earlier a Kiks.ádi Tlingit fort site.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026
Small hilltop park above the harbor where Russia handed Alaska to the United States in 1867; earlier a Kiks.ádi Tlingit fort site.
Read more about its history
- Sitka, Alaska Wikipedia
- Castle Hill and the 1867 transfer Wikipedia
Highlights
- Tlingit name Noow Tlein, a Kiks.ádi clan site
- Russian governor's residence stood here from 1836 until it burned in 1894
- Transfer ceremony held October 18, 1867
- First 49-star U.S. flag flown here in 1959
- National Historic Landmark since June 13, 1962
Facts checked October 19, 2026 with dnr.alaska.gov, en.wikipedia.org, visitsitka.org. Hours and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Park details →Map: Castle Hill (Baranof Castle State Historic Site)
The 3D map shows the walk here from the shuttle stop. Expand it to switch to the tender landing and explore.
Map: USGS elevation; streets and buildings © OpenStreetMap contributors.
More in Russian & Tlingit History
St. Michael's Cathedral
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Russian Bishop's House
One of the few Russian colonial buildings left in North America, built for the first Orthodox bishop of Alaska and restored by the Park Service.
Sitka History Museum
Community history museum inside Harrigan Centennial Hall, right where the cruise shuttle stops.
Round out your day
Southeast Resort
Hotel on Seward Street near Crescent Harbor, formerly the Westmark Sitka, home to the Cold Water Bar & Grill.
Ludvig's Bistro
Small Katlian Street dining room with a rustic Mediterranean menu and a long local following; book ahead.
WinterSong Soap Company
Sitka soap maker that started in a home kitchen and makes herbal soaps, salves and bath products with locally gathered plants.