On October 18, 1867, the Russian flag was lowered on Castle Hill, home of Alaska's Russian governors, the American flag was raised, and a brief exchange of statements completed the transfer of Alaska to the United States.

This event marked our Nation's first expansion into non-contiguous territory; Russia's withdrawal from the northwest coast of North America represented the recession of the outermost reach of the Slavic eastern frontier.

Alaska was admitted to the Union on January 3, 1959, and on July 4 of that year the 49-star American flag was flown from this site for the first time. Though no structures remain, the site, rich in historical archeology, is now a park commemorating these events.

Credits and Sources:

Information courtesy of the National Park Service.