Department and District of Alaska

The Department of Alaska (1867 to 1884) and the District of Alaska (1884 to 1912) were the two administrative phases that followed the purchase of Alaska from Russia. The first was a military designation, and the second, created by the Organic Act of 1884, gave the region a civil government.[1][2]

The Department of Alaska, 1867 to 1884

The United States Senate approved the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000 on April 9, 1867, and on October 18, 1867, the flag was raised in Sitka and the Department of Alaska was established. The territory was administered by the Army from 1867 to 1877, the Treasury from 1877 to 1879 and the Navy from 1879 to 1884. Commanders listed in the source include Brevet Major General Jefferson C. Davis, who served from 1868 to 1870.[2]

The District of Alaska, 1884 to 1912

President Chester A. Arthur signed the First Organic Act in 1884 and appointed a civil government, and the District of Alaska existed from May 17, 1884, to August 24, 1912. It was an incorporated but unorganised territory whose governor was appointed by the President. Sitka was the capital until 1906, when the seat moved to Juneau.[1]

Governors

The district’s governors were John Henry Kinkead (1884–1885), Alfred P. Swineford (1885–1889), Lyman Enos Knapp (1889–1893), James Sheakley (1893–1897), John Green Brady (1897–1906), Wilford Bacon Hoggatt (1906–1909) and Walter Eli Clark (1909–1912).[1]

Successor

In 1912 the district became the Territory of Alaska, which lasted until 1959.[1]

FAQs

Who administered Alaska from 1867 to 1877? The United States Army.

When did the District of Alaska begin? May 17, 1884.

Where was the capital? Sitka until 1906, then Juneau.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: District of Alaska
2. Wikipedia: Department of Alaska

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue