As always, the lead up to a cruise is filled with port day planning. For some reason, I’m working in reverse order, starting with Ketchikan, though it’s our last port stop before heading back to Seattle. We’ll be in Ketchikan from 8am to 5pm, which gives me lots of time. I definitely will be visiting my favorite art gallery, Arctic Spirit Gallery, and, since it’s my anniversary, buying myself something to add to my small collection of Alaskan art.
But back to the planning … I discovered today that the Encore will be docking at the brand new Ward Cove facility. Built at the site of the Ketchikan Pulp Mill (which operated from 1954 – 1997). Surprisingly, to me anyway, it was the last pulp mill in Alaska. So a bit of history there, and a creative use and renovation of existing infrastructure.
Ketchikan Pulp Mill during construction of the Digester building and the Powerhouse, September 2, 1953. Photo courtesy of Ketchikan Museums: Paulu T. Saari Collection, KM 2003.2.63.2757
Thought this short video clip (c. 1950) from the Alaska Film Archives was rather cool.
The drawback is that it’s 7 miles north of downtown Ketchikan, though there will be free shuttles. The upside is that it’s brand new! In fact, while the dock is built and finished, they’re still frantically trying to complete the visitor’s center.
The visitor’s center, called the Mill at Ward Cove, still needs to be completed. Passengers are set to step off their ships into a long-shuttered pulp mill. Their first sight will be a recreation of the Tongass National Forest inside a 57,000 square-foot warehouse, allowing tourists to get close to its iconic trees. …
There are plans for an auditorium, a museum showcasing the history of the mill and logging, and light refreshments. Refurbished rail cars imported from Canada will show how pulp was transported south to market when the mill operated. … But not all of the planned amenities will be ready by mid-August when the first passenger ship arrives in Ward Cove, Binkley said. “The toilets will flush, you can wash your hands!” he joked.
Artist’s rendering of the Ward Cove cruise ship terminal. Photo from The Mill At Ward Cove website
I can’t wait to see it, and I’ll probably snap about a hundred photos 😀
