History

History Sportsman’s Cove Lodge

Sportsman’s Cove Lodge has a rich history with Alaska’s fishing industry. Once a bustling community with a fish processing facility called “Straits Packing Company,” the cove witnessed the evolution of the fishing industry. In the late 1800s, Saltery Cove housed a saltery, where fish were preserved through salting or drying. The saltery transformed into a cannery in 1915, attracting a vibrant village and bustling ships. Canneries shifted to locations closer to larger towns like Ketchikan, and remote canneries faced challenges. By the late 1930s, the cannery ceased operations, and the property remained vacant for two decades until it was subdivided and sold.

In 1989, Captain Mac realized his lifelong dream and purchased the property, marking the beginning of a journey to provide exceptional sport fishing adventures for guests from the lower 49 states. Today, Sportsman’s Cove Lodge stands on this extraordinary land, which was “Grandfathered” into private ownership. Surrounded by awe-inspiring nature and the remnants of the old cannery, we embrace the serenity and camaraderie that has become our hallmark.

In late 2022, The O’Neil Group (“OGC”) acquired Sportsman’s Cove Lodge after Kevin O’Neil’s extensive search for an Alaska fishing lodge. OGC, headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, has diverse investments in investment funds, technology, innovation, hospitality, construction, and commercial real estate. OGC plans to expand and renovate the lodge, introducing new programs, improved amenities, and facilities. Their mission is to continue providing exceptional experiences and investing in the future of southeast Alaska.

Saltery Cove History
Captain Mac

Timeline

1900-1908

A small fish Saltery operated in Saltery Cove

1911-1912

L Gustav & Co opened a fish cannery in Saltery Cove

1912-1914

The cannery operated as Skowl Arm Packing Co.

1915-1929

The cannery operated as Straits Packing Co. (On 9/23/1927 President, Calvin Coolidge, by Executive Order #4724, excluded the property identified in US Survey 1801 from the Tongass National Forest).

1930

The cannery was leased to United Salmon Packers

1933

The cannery was leased to Deep Sea Canning Company

1934

On 2/7/1934, Patent#1067959, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, was issued to Strats Packing Company for the land described in US Survey 1801.

1937

The Cannery closed operations

1959

The State of Alaska, under the 1953 Land Registration Law, foreclosed on the Saltery Cove property.

1967

The Saltery Cove property was sold at public auction. It was purchased by Joyce Patozka. Joyce finally obtained a quit claim deed on the property from the State of Alaska in 1973. Ms. Patozka subsequently subdivided and sold the property to private owners.

1989

Captain Mac purchased the Property and began his lifelong dream of providing Sport Fishing trips to those from the lower 48 states.

2022

O’Neil Group (OGC) acquired Sportsman’s Cove Lodge. OGC invests in various industries including investment funds, technology, innovation, hospitality, construction, and commercial real estate. They plan to expand and renovate the lodge, while preserving its unique experiences and investing in the future of southeast Alaska.

Maintenance

Reach Us

P.O. Box 1385 | Colorado Springs, Colorado U.S.A 80901
t: 659-209-3164
f: 1-907-247-7255
info@alaskasbestlodge.com

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