1905 Ketchikan Report Source: Report to the Secretary of the Interior by the Governor of Alaska, 1905 Transcribed by K. Torp KETCHIKAN, ALASKA, October 3, 1905. DEAR SIR: The population of this town is about 1,100. Census taken one and a half years ago showed at that time a population of 964. The immigration is almost exclusively American. The labor supply this spring and summer has been inadequate. Any person looking for work could and can find ready employment. All summer it has been impossible to get men. In camps, wages, $3.50 per day, $1 for board. Cost of living in town at hotel, $2.50 per day. Miners and prospectors generally live in cabins. Cost of living there about $15 per month, that, of course, being graduated by the parties. Yours, truly, GEORGE IRVING, Mayor. KETCHIKAN, ALASKA, October 4, 1905. SIR: In compliance with your request I beg to report the Ketchikan public schools as follows: This year we have two teachers at $85 and $100 per month. There are 62 pupils in attendance. I do not know the school population, as no census has been taken for this purpose. Very respectfully submitted. Your obedient servant, J. E. RYUS, Cleric. KETCHIKAN, ALASKA, October 13, 1905. Sm: In reply to yours of the 22d ultimo, asking for information about our town, I respectfully submit the following: Ketchikan has a population of about 1,100, including Indians. The value of the taxable property is about $450,000, and the rate of taxation is one-half of 1 per cent. Board in the town is about $30 per month, and comfortable rooms can be rented at from $10 to $15 per month. House rent is about the same as in Seattle, being all the way from $10 to $30 per month, according to location and conveniences. Wages at the neighboring mines are on an average about $2.50 per day and board. The light rates are, 16 candlepower, $1 per month; 32 candlepower, $1.50 per month. The water rates are, single faucet, $1 per month; closet, 75 cents, and bath, 75 cents per month; steamers, under 50 tons, $5 per month; over 50 tons, $10 per month. The price of coal is $10 per ton; to steamboats, $9 per ton. Wood is about $6 per cord. Kerosene is 35 cents per gallon, or $3.25 per case of 10 gallons. Candles are $2.50 per box of 20 sets. The prices of groceries are the same as in Juneau. The labor supply is at present quite adequate to meet the demands, but during the past summer the demand exceeded the supply. The freight rates are, to all points on the west side of Prince of Wales Island, $4 per ton; to points on the east side or nearer, $3 per ton. Respectfully, H. L. FAULKNER, City Clerk.

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