Alaskan History
Historic Alaskan Hot Springs Supporting Gardens, Health Spas, Resorts, Hospitals and more In a preface to the 1917 U.S.G.S. booklet, Mineral Springs in Alaska, the geologist Alfred H. Brooks wrote, “Hot springs are widely distributed in Alaska, but they were only slightly utilized by the natives before the coming of the white man. During the Russian occupation of Alaska primitive bathing houses were built at several hot springs, notably near Sitka, and the hygenic value of the springs was recognized. In recent years more elaborate bathing establishments have been constructed at several accessible hot springs and are much used by local residents, and some hot springs that are more difficult of access are occasionally visited by prospectors as health resorts.” The U.S. Geological Survey identifies 79 thermal springs in Alaska, almost half of which occur along the volcanic Alaska Peninsula, extending out into the Aleutian chain. Hot springs are scattered throughout the Interior and western Alaska, as far north as the Brooks Range and as far west as the Seward Peninsula, but the second greatest concentration is found in the southeast’s Alaskan panhandle. Among the oldest known is Sitka Hot Springs at Goddard. According to Donald Orth’s Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, Goddard is located on the northeast side of Hot Springs Bay on the west coast of Baranof Island, 15 miles south of Sitka.
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