Before 1867, this city that lends its name to a type of tree was known as Novo Arkhangelsk

On the January 31, 2025, episode of Jeopardy!, the Final Jeopardy category was “U.S. Place Names.” Contestants were presented with the following clue:

“Before 1867, this city that lends its name to a type of tree was known as Novo Arkhangelsk.”

What is Sitka?

Sitka, a city in southeastern Alaska, was originally known as Novo Arkhangelsk (New Archangel) when it was under Russian control. This name reflected the influence of the Russian Empire, which had established the settlement as the capital of Russian America. The name honored Archangel, a city in northern Russia, and was meant to signify the region’s importance in Russian colonial efforts.

The city was renamed Sitka after the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 in what is commonly known as the Alaska Purchase. The name Sitka is derived from the Tlingit people, the Indigenous group native to the area. Specifically, it comes from the Tlingit phrase “Shee At’iká,” which means “people on the outside of Shee” (Shee being the Tlingit name for Baranof Island, where Sitka is located).

Sitka’s Role in the Alaska Purchase

Sitka played a central role in the transition of Alaska from Russian to American control. After the United States agreed to purchase Alaska for $7.2 million, the formal transfer ceremony took place in Sitka on October 18, 1867. On that day, Russian and American officials gathered, and the Russian flag was lowered while the American flag was raised. This moment marked the beginning of Alaska’s governance under the United States.

For a brief period after the transfer, Sitka served as the first capital of the Alaska Territory, holding this status until Juneau became the capital in 1906. The city continued to be an important hub for trade, governance, and cultural exchange in the early years of American Alaska.

The Name “Sitka” and Its Connection to Nature

The clue references the fact that Sitka shares its name with a type of tree—the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). This species of spruce is native to the Pacific Northwest and is especially common in coastal Alaska, including the forests surrounding Sitka. The Sitka spruce is notable for its height, strength, and commercial value, making it one of the most significant trees in the region.

While the name change from Novo Arkhangelsk to Sitka reflected the broader shift from Russian to American rule, it also underscored the deep-rooted connection between the land and the Indigenous Tlingit culture. The Sitka spruce, like the city’s name, serves as a lasting reminder of the natural and historical heritage of the region.

Sitka’s Legacy Today

Today, Sitka remains one of Alaska’s most historically significant cities. It is known for its rich mix of Tlingit, Russian, and American cultural influences, with landmarks such as St. Michael’s Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church dating back to the 1840s, and Sitka National Historical Park, which commemorates the Tlingit people’s resistance to Russian colonization. The city also attracts visitors for its stunning coastal scenery, abundant wildlife, and thriving fishing industry.

Though it is no longer the capital, Sitka continues to be a key part of Alaska’s identity, with its name forever tied to both its Indigenous roots and its Russian past. The Final Jeopardy clue for January 31, 2025, provided a brief but insightful window into the complex history behind this unique U.S. place name.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wheel of Fortune Tonight