- 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:
- Haida craftsmen
- Designer:
- Architect Linn A. Forrest (restoration)
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
This Sea Monster Pole was carved by John Wallace circa 1939-1939. It is the reproduction of a totem from the now-uninhabited Haida village of Klinkwan on Prince of Wales Island. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “A village watchman stands guard at the top of the pole, just above two eagle crests and symbols representing clouds and mountains, the place of eagles. Below these are figures representing the world under the sea—blackfish holding a seal, a sea monster, and a devilfish (octopus) in the act of devouring a man. The mythical sea monster, that appears on a number of Haida poles, is carved near the center of the pole. The small face under the beak is the monster’s spirit power.”
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 Brent McKee; Steve Forrest (with documentation courtesy of Linn Forrest) on July 20, 2017.
At this Location:
- 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
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Village Watchman Pole (right) - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Pole on the Point - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Blackfish Pole - Ketchikan AK
- Totem Bight State Historical Park, Master Carver 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
View all sites at Totem Bight State Historical Park - Ketchikan AK (17 Sites)
Contribute to this Site
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal site.
Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal Site
Join the Conversation