- City:
- Ketchikan, AK
- Site Type:
- Archaeology and History, Art Works, Sculptures, Historical Restoration
- New Deal Agencies:
- Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Work Relief Programs
- Started:
- 1939
- Completed:
- 1941
- Artist:
- Tlingit craftsmen
- Designer:
- Architect Linn A. Forrest (restoration)
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The Blackfish Pole is the reproduction of a Tlingit pole that was located in front of Forested Island House on Tongass Island. The pole tells the story of the origin of blackfish (killer whale). This Tlingit heralding totem is a reproduction carved by Charles Brown and a crew of apprentice carvers. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics of the carving: “The Raven, carved with the dorsal fin of the blackfish extending above him, is a special crest. The tiny face on each blackfish represents the blowhole; the human figure represents the evil brothers-in-law.”
Source notes
Garfield, Viola and Linn Forrest, 1961, The Wolf and the Raven, Seattle: University of Washington Press, p. 71-99. Totem Bight State Historical Park, Master Development Plan, Department of Natural Resources, 2013, accessed July 15, 2017. Totem Bight State Historic Site, National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, 1970, accessed July 15, 2017.Site originally submitted by Steve Forrest (with documentation courtesy of Linn Forrest); Brent McKee on July 20, 2017.
At this Location:
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Pole on the Point - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Master Carver Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Sea Monster Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Raven at the Head of Nass Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Kats Bear Wife Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Kadjuk Bird Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Thunderer’s Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Thunderbird and Whale - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Man Wearing Bear Hat - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, The Halibut Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, The Clan House - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Eagle Grave Marker - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Wandering Raven House Entrance Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Village Watchman Pole (left) - Ketchikan AK
View all sites at Totem Bight State Historical Park - Ketchikan AK (17 Sites)
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