Cemeteries in Alaska (State)

Alaska, the largest state in the United States by area, was purchased from Russia in 1867 and became the 49th state in 1959.

Long before European contact, the region was home to diverse Indigenous peoples, including the Inuit, Aleut, Tlingit, and Athabascan, many of whom still reside there today. Russian explorers and traders established settlements in the 18th century, primarily for the fur trade. After its acquisition by the U.S., Alaska remained sparsely populated until the late 19th-century gold rushes drew settlers from the continental U.S. and Europe. The discovery of oil in the 20th century transformed the state’s economy.

Cemeteries such as Anchorage Memorial Park and Sitka National Cemetery reflect the stories of pioneers, soldiers, and Alaska Native communities who have shaped the state's unique frontier legacy.