The History of Coffman Cove

Coffman Cove is on the northeast coast of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. It lies at approximately 56° 01' N Latitude, 132° 50' W Longitude (Sec. 28, T068S, R082E, Copper River Meridian). The community is located in the Ketchikan Recording District. The area encompasses 12 sq. miles of land and 4 sq. miles of water.

The site was named in 1886 by Lt. Comdr. A.S. Snow, USN, for Lt. Dewitt Coffman, a member of his party. Coffman Cove was first settled as a logging camp in the 1950s. Land was made available for private ownership through selection under the Alaska Statehood Act, and the city incorporated in 1989.

To Community Histories Index Alaska DCCED Community Database Online

History and map graphic used with permission from the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development