Government Indian School

Government Indian School is a school building in Haines that was originally built to educate students from the local community. The structure contains classrooms and residential spaces designed to function as a combined school and living facility.

The building was constructed in 1906 by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and was among the first 20th-century structures in the town. It operated as a school facility until 1945 and marked the start of a new era of institutional development in Haines.

The building reflects how federal schools in this region educated Native American children and shaped their daily practices. This educational approach was typical of many such institutions spread across the country at that time.

The building sits near the town center on First Avenue and is easy to reach on foot. It remains publicly accessible and currently functions as a preschool, allowing visitors to see how it continues to serve educational purposes.

The building displays Cape Cod architecture, an unusual building style for Southeast Alaska in that era. This distinctive Eastern architectural style highlights the location's connections to broader institutions on the East Coast.

Location: Haines Borough

Address: 1st Avenue

GPS coordinates: 59.23810,-135.44100

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:27