The City

Harrisburg. That was Juneau’s name before Richard Harris fell out of favor with the locals, who turned their allegiance to his co-founder Joe Juneau. In 1880, prospectors Harris and Juneau relied on Tlingit Chief Kowee to guide them to the mouth of Gold Creek where they discovered gold – and the state’s first major gold strike was on.

Early growth was a direct result of the mining industry and Juneau prospered. Juneau was established as Alaska's capital in 1906 when the government was transferred from Sitka. Currently about 31,000 citizens live within our 3,255 square mile boundary, the largest of any state capital (and the only state capital which borders a foreign country).

Check it out: City & Borough of Juneau.

The Government

Alaskans elect a governor and a lieutenant governor to four-year terms. The governor, who appoints the heads of all state departments and many other officials, is considered one of the most powerful governors in the United States.

The Alaska State Legislature includes a Senate and House of Representatives. Forty representatives serve in the Alaska House of Representatives. Twenty senators serve in the Alaska Senate. Alaska’s political powers pass laws in the capitol building annually from January through April.

Check it out: State of Alaska.

The Building

Alaska’s capitol, completed in 1931, began as a territorial and federal building. When Alaska became a state in 1959, the building was given to the state to serve as our capitol. Although it has no dome, the capitol has marble columns, a reproduction of the Liberty Bell, and historical photographs and paintings. It’s open to the public for self-guided tours throughout the year and for guided tours May through September.

Check it out: Alaska's capitol.

The Flag

When Alaska decided it needed a flag in 1927 (before we became a state), a contest was held among the territory’s 7th through 12th grade school children. The contest was won by 13-year-old Benny Benson, a 7th grade Alaska Native. His design features the Big Dipper (part of the constellation Ursa Major, or Great Bear, symbolizing strength) and the North Star, which depicted future statehood. The blue background represents the brilliant Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, which is now the Alaska state flower. In 1959 the drafters of the Alaska constitution stipulated that the territorial flag become the official state flag.

Check it out: Alaska's flag.