Wrangell Mariners Memorial

Wrangell is a small coastal community of just over 2,000 residents. In the early 1900s, Wrangell operated vast fisheries supporting salmon, shrimp, and crab canneries. The ocean has provided abundant resources, but not without sacrifice. Wrangell, unfortunately, is all too familiar with loss at sea.

The idea of a mariners’ memorial has long been a dream and originated with two high school students who crewed a fishing vessel that lost its captain at sea. In 2009, the design team hosted a series of multi-day public meetings and design charrettes to develop a vision and a conceptual plan. The memorial was to be a sacred space, rich in symbolism, but not overstated. The memorial was to be built through local fundraising, sweat equity, and donated materials and services; in other words, it was to be built by the community. In late 2022, the memorial was completed to great accolades, made possible by the community’s incredible perseverance.

Location: Wrangell

Client: City of Wrangell

Components: Site Design