What Happened On October 18th?
On October 18, 1867, in Sitka, Alaska, American and Russian officials met to formalize the transfer of Alaska to the United States. At 3:30 p.m., troops from both nations gathered at the governor’s residence to witness the exchange. The Russian soldiers lowered their flag, but it became entangled, causing an awkward delay. After multiple attempts, they freed it, and it dropped onto the bayonets of the soldiers below. With the U.S. flag raised and a 21-gun salute, Alaska officially became U.S. territory, concluding the transaction that had begun months earlier with the purchase agreement.
Russian settlers and native Tlingit watched the ceremony from a distance, uncertain about what the future held. Many of the Russian residents had already prepared to leave, unsure of what life under American control would bring. The Tlingit, who had lived on the land long before either power arrived, avoided the event, seeing it as a transaction that ignored their claims and rights. For them, the handover symbolized an agreement between foreign powers with no regard for their existence.
Immediately after the ceremony, General Jefferson C. Davis assumed command of the territory, leading the U.S. military forces stationed in Sitka. Davis and his troops, unfamiliar with Alaska’s unforgiving climate and rugged landscape, struggled to adapt to the new environment. Tensions with the native Tlingit soon surfaced as Davis imposed U.S. laws without consulting local leaders. The military presence in Alaska continued for several years after the transfer, with little civilian governance in place during the early years of American control.
Russian interests in Alaska had already waned by the mid-19th century. Russian fur traders had first arrived in the 1740s, seeking valuable sea otter pelts, which fueled the Russian economy for decades. By the 1800s, the Russian-American Company managed the fur trade and established settlements such as Sitka. Over time, the sea otter population dwindled due to overhunting, reducing profits. Following the Crimean War, Russia’s financial struggles deepened, and they feared losing Alaska to Britain. Seeking compensation, they decided to sell the territory to the U.S. for $7.2 million.
Although the official transfer had taken place, much of Alaska remained uncharted. Russian exploration had been limited to coastal settlements, leaving the vast interior largely unknown. The U.S. government, focused on other national issues, did not prioritize the development of the new territory. As a result, Alaska remained under military control for years, with only a handful of American settlers arriving during that period. Most who ventured into Alaska faced a challenging and unfamiliar environment, with little support from the government.
Some Russian settlers decided to remain in Alaska after the handover, continuing their daily lives with the help of the Russian Orthodox Church. The church had been a central institution in Russian Alaska, providing spiritual support to both Russian settlers and native communities. Its influence persisted long after the transfer, as religious leaders traveled across the territory to establish missions and provide services. The church’s presence helped maintain Russian culture in Alaska, even as the American government began asserting control over the land.
Although many Americans viewed the purchase with skepticism, explorers and entrepreneurs began searching for opportunities in Alaska’s untapped resources. The fur trade remained the primary industry in the early years, but prospectors soon started looking for minerals. By the 1870s, rumors of gold began to circulate, attracting prospectors eager to strike it rich. Although no major discoveries were made immediately, these early efforts set the stage for the larger gold rushes that would come decades later and transform Alaska’s economy.
General Davis faced challenges in his administration of Alaska. He quickly imposed U.S. law on the territory, sparking conflict with the native Tlingit, who resisted the new authority. Land disputes intensified, as the Tlingit sought to protect their ancestral lands from American encroachment. Davis’s lack of experience with local governance created friction, leading to several confrontations between U.S. forces and the native population. These tensions remained unresolved for years, as both sides clashed over control of the region.
As years passed, the value of Alaska’s resources became more apparent to American settlers. The fur trade remained important, but new industries began emerging, particularly fishing. American fishermen took advantage of Alaska’s rich marine life, establishing fisheries that provided a new source of economic growth. This industry, along with early efforts at mineral exploration, began to draw more settlers to the territory, slowly expanding its economy.
In Washington, the U.S. Senate had narrowly approved the purchase of Alaska, with many lawmakers questioning the wisdom of acquiring such a remote, seemingly barren land. Secretary of State William H. Seward, however, had pushed hard for the deal, believing Alaska held great potential. Although critics dubbed it “Seward’s Folly,” public opinion shifted as explorers returned with reports of the territory’s abundant natural resources. Seward’s vision gradually gained support as interest in Alaska grew.
Despite the political transition, Russian culture and religion maintained a strong presence in Alaska for years after the transfer. The Russian Orthodox Church continued to serve the spiritual needs of both Russian settlers and native Alaskans, playing an important role in community life. Russian customs and traditions also lingered, especially in Sitka, where Russian architecture and influence remained visible. The blending of Russian and American cultures created a unique character in the region, setting Alaska apart from other U.S. territories.
In the late 19th century, more American settlers began to arrive in Alaska, drawn by the prospect of wealth and opportunity. Although early expeditions yielded few results, the territory’s vast wilderness held the promise of undiscovered riches. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1896 brought thousands of new settlers to Alaska, changing the economic landscape and cementing its place in the American imagination. While the future of the territory had seemed uncertain at the time of the transfer, Alaska’s long-term importance grew clearer with each new discovery.
