The National Historic Landmarks in Alaska represent Alaska's history from its Russian heritage to its statehood. There are 50 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) in the state.NPS Alaska NHL List The United States National Historic Landmark program is operated under the auspices of the National Park Service, and recognizes structures, districts, objects, and similar resources according to a list of criteria of national significance. Major themes include Alaska's ancient cultures, Russian heritage, and role in World War II, but other stories are represented as well. In addition, two sites in Alaska were designated National Historic Landmarks, but the designation was later withdrawn. These sites appear in a separate table further below.
The National Historic Landmark Program is administered by the National Park Service, a branch of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service determines which properties meet NHL criteria and makes nomination recommendations after an owner notification process. The Secretary of the Interior reviews nominations and, based on a set of predetermined criteria, makes a decision on NHL designation or a determination of eligibility for designation. Both public and privately owned properties can be designated as NHLs. This designation provides indirect, partial protection of the historic integrity of the properties via tax incentives, grants, monitoring of threats, and other means. Owners may object to the nomination of the property as an NHL. When this is the case the Secretary of the Interior can only designate a site as eligible for designation.
Key
National Historic LandmarkNational Historic Landmark DistrictNational Historic Site, National Historical Park, National Memorial, or National MonumentDelisted Landmark
NHLs in Alaska The table below lists all of the National Historic Landmark sites, along with added detail and description.
Historic areas of the NPS in Alaska National Historic Sites, National Historical Parks, some National Monuments, and certain other areas listed in the National Park System are historic landmarks of national importance that are highly protected already, often before the inauguration of the NHL program in 1960, and are then often not also named NHLs per se. There are three of these in Alaska. The National Park Service lists these three together with the NHLs in the state,These are listed on p.110 of "National Historic Landmarks Survey: List of National Historic Landmarks by State", November 2007 version.
Cape Krusenstern National Monument is also an NHL and is listed above. The other two are:
Landmark nameImageDate establishedDate of listing as National Historic Site or similar designation, from various sources in articles indexed.Location County Description Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Skagway Skagway Park of Klondike Gold Rush, an NHL shared with Seattle, Washington. Sitka National Historical Park Sitka Sitka
Former NHLs in Alaska
Landmark nameImageDatedesignatedDate withdrawnLocalityBorough orCensus AreaDescription Gambell Sites 1962 1989 Gambell Nome These five archeological sites established a chronology of human habitation on St. Lawrence Island, with evidence of four cultural phases of the Thule tradition, beginning about 2000 years before the present. Over the 20th century, the archeological value of the sites was largely destroyed due to ivory mining, and landmark designation was withdrawn. Sourdough Lodge 1978 1994 Gakona Valdez-Cordova Built of logs in 1903–05, this was one of a number of roadhouses built along the Valdez Trail. It was destroyed by fire in 1992, leading to withdrawal of its landmark status. By the time of its destruction, it was one of the oldest continuously operating roadhouses in Alaska.
See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Alaska History of Alaska Historic preservation National Register of Historic Places List of U.S. National Historic Landmarks by state List of National Natural Landmarks in Alaska
Notes
References
External links National Historic Landmark Program at the National Park Service Lists of National Historic Landmarks