Fort Tongass, Military fort on Tongass Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Fort Tongass is a military post situated on an island in Nakat Bay, with visible remnants of structures that once housed military and trading activities. The ruins show how this isolated location served dual purposes in early settlement.
The fort was established in 1867 as the first US Army base in Alaska following the American purchase of the territory from Russia. This outpost marked the beginning of United States control over the newly acquired land.
The fort occupies land that was home to the Tlingit people, who shaped this coastal region long before the military outpost appeared. Walking through the grounds, you can sense how two worlds came together at this location.
Access to the fort is by boat only since it occupies an island in a remote location. Weather conditions in this region are often wet and changeable, so visitors should prepare accordingly.
The outpost produced its own newspaper called Tongass Wa-Wa between 1869 and 1870, using a word from Chinook Jargon meaning talk or speech. This was one of the earliest publications in this remote corner of Alaska.
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