Petersburg, with a population of 3,224 residents, is the closest town to the southernmost tidewater glacier in the United States.
Petersburg is located on Mitkof Island, north of Ketchikan and south of Juneau. Petersburg was founded by Norwegian immigrants who noticed its similarity to their homeland. They also found the ice from the nearby glacier was useful for processing their fish. Known as "Little Norway," Petersburg celebrates its heritage with rosemaled storefronts. Rosemaling is Norwegian for rose painting, an activity used to enliven a long winter.
The economy of Petersburg depends on the natural resources of the area. Fishing and fish processing are dominant with increasing contributions from tourism. The island road system provides access to recreational opportunities. Nearby wildernesses include the Petersburg Creek-Duncan Salt Chuck, and the Stikine–LeConte Wildernesses. The community is home to both the Petersburg Ranger District and the Petersburg staff of the Tongass National Forest Supervisor’s Office.
