Three Saints Bay is a nine-mile inlet on the southeast side of Kodiak Island where Grigory Shelikhov founded the first Russian settlement in Alaska in 1784. The site is a National Historic Landmark.[1][2]
| Location | Southeast Kodiak Island |
|---|---|
| Bay length | 9 miles |
| Founded | 1784, by Grigory Shelikhov |
| Earlier native settlement | About 100 BCE |
| National Register | 1972 |
| National Historic Landmark | June 2, 1978 |
Location
The bay is a nine-mile inlet on Kodiak Island’s southeast side, about 60 miles southwest of the city of Kodiak and north of Sitkalidak Strait. An older native settlement at the site dates to about 100 BCE, and the Aleut name for the bay is given as Liakik.[1]
The 1784 settlement
Grigory Shelikhov founded the settlement in August 1784. Called Three Saints Harbor, it was the first Russian settlement in Alaska and a base for exploring and settling other stations. In 1790 it held about fifty men and a small number of women living in small structures, probably barabaras, and the source describes the site as too small for a substantial settlement.[1][2]
Move to Kodiak
A 1788 earthquake caused subsidence and a probable tsunami that harmed the site, and Alexander Baranov began moving the main settlement to present-day Kodiak in 1791, though one source gives 1792. The original site stayed occupied as a smaller station until about the mid-19th century and was then relocated about 1.2 miles away.[1][2]
Today
Few surface remnants remain, mainly pits, rectangular depressions and some plants from small-scale agriculture, with a cemetery to the southeast. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and designated a National Historic Landmark on June 2, 1978. The National Park Service says it is managed by the Old Harbor Native Corporation and is not open to the public, and that it also represents the Three Saints phase of the Kachemak tradition.[1][2]
FAQs
Who founded Three Saints Bay? Grigory Shelikhov, in 1784.
Why did the settlement move? A 1788 earthquake and probable tsunami harmed it, and the main settlement moved to Kodiak.
Can the public visit? The National Park Service says it is not open to the public.
Sources
Key facts
- Founded 1784
- NHL 1978
Quick checkWho founded the first Russian settlement in Alaska?Show answer
Grigory Shelikhov, at Three Saints Bay in 1784
Sources
- Wikipedia. Three Saints Bay, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
- National Park Service. Three Saints Bay Site. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue