The Story of Sitka The Historic Outpost of the Northwest Coast; The Chief Factory of the Russian American Company

"The Story of Sitka" by Clarence Leroy Andrews is a historical exploration, focusing on Sitka's crucial role as a Russian outpost and fur trading center on the Northwest Coast. Andrews creates a picture of Sitka's stunning natural setting and its developing significance as a site of trade and cultural interactions. The narrative describes the difficult first contacts between Russian explorers and the native Thlingit people, as well as the early attempts to build a settlement in spite of environmental obstacles and local opposition. This lays the groundwork for a thorough investigation of the colony's growth, its economy driven by the fur trade, and the fusion of cultures that marked its formative years.