• Sitka Alaska Holiday Ornament, Edgecumbe Smoke, Crystal Glass Ornament Hanging on a Christmas Tree
  • Sitka Alaska Holiday Ornament, Edgecumbe Smoke, Crystal Glass Ornament Hanging on White
  • Sitka Alaska Holiday Ornament, Edgecumbe Smoke, Crystal Glass Ornament in Gold Gift Box
  • Sitka Alaska Holiday Ornament, Edgecumbe Smoke, Crystal Glass Ornament in White Gift Box
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Sitka Alaska Holiday Ornament - Edgecumbe Smoke

Sitka Alaska Holiday Ornament - Edgecumbe Smoke

$24.00 USD
$24.00 USD
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A snow-capped volcanic cone rising from the sea with a column of black smoke pouring from the crater, a rowboat in front with a wreath on its bow. April 1, 1974.

Mount Edgecumbe is a dormant volcano across the sound from Sitka, and on the morning of April 1, 1974, it appeared to be erupting. A local named Porky Bickar had spent four years planning it: he helicoptered seventy old tires into the crater, soaked them in fuel and lit them. A Coast Guard pilot flew over and found the tires, and the words APRIL FOOL stamped in the snow.

The prank made international news and Sitka has dined on it since. The mountain has not erupted in four thousand years and shows no sign of starting.

A town that would go to that much trouble for a joke is a town with time to think in the rain. The wreath on the rowboat is the only color; the smoke is the story.

The Mount Edgecumbe April Fools volcano of 1974 is the best prank in Sitka history: smoke over the Sitka volcano and a town that half believed it. This volcano ornament is an Alaska ornament and Sitka souvenir for anyone who knows the story.

3-inch faceted crystal glass ornament, white-backed print, line-drawn in 1880s engraving style, your choice of white or gold gift box.

Every Sitka ornament ships ready to give, and profits support hunger relief. Hang it on the tree, in a window, off a lamp, or send one to the person who misses Sitka most.

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Sitka was the capital of Russian America from 1808 to 1867 — nicknamed "the Paris of the Pacific," and for a time more populous than San Francisco.

St. Michael's Cathedral (1848) was the first Russian Orthodox cathedral in North America; after the 1966 fire it was rebuilt to its original appearance, with the icons the town carried out of the flames.

Why People Visit Sitka Alaska

  • Visit St. Michael's Cathedral, the 1848 Russian Orthodox cathedral with its iconic green onion-dome and bell tower, the first Russian Orthodox cathedral in North America (the original burned in 1966 and was rebuilt to the original exterior appearance with rescued icons).
  • Climb Baranof Castle Hill, the bluff where the formal Alaska Transfer Ceremony took place on October 18, 1867 — the day the Russian flag came down and the American flag went up. Alaska Day is celebrated here every October 18.
  • Walk Sitka National Historical Park, the oldest federally designated park in Alaska (established 1910), with totem-pole trails through old-growth coastal rainforest along the Indian River — and the site of the 1804 battle, where a totem honors the Kiks.ádi leader K'alyaán.
  • Tour the Russian Bishop's House, the 1842 home of Bishop Innocent — the oldest intact Russian-built building in Sitka and a National Historic Landmark.
  • Visit the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the 1895 octagonal concrete building that is the oldest museum in Alaska, holding collections of Alaska Native art and material culture.
  • Stop at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall on Katlian Street, built in 1914 — headquarters of the civil-rights organization founded in Sitka in 1912.
  • See Mount Edgecumbe, the 3,201-foot dormant stratovolcano on Kruzof Island that frames every view of Sitka Sound.
  • Visit the Alaska Raptor Center, the nonprofit rehabilitation facility for injured eagles, hawks, and owls along the Indian River.
  • See Fortress of the Bear, the nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center for orphaned brown and black bear cubs.
  • Drive across the O'Connell Bridge, the 1972 span that was the first cable-stayed bridge built in the United States, connecting Sitka to Japonski Island and the airport.
  • Attend Sitka WhaleFest the first week of November during the humpback whale migration through Sitka Sound — the festival has been running annually since 1995.

Sitka Alaska Merlin Classics retro vintage logo featuring bear motif and 1959 Alaska statehood reference

Wear Local. Feed Local. Stay Classic.

Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Because items are made to order, we can’t accept returns for sizing or color choices. We do accept returns for defects, misprints, or shipping damage. Please review the detailed photos and descriptions before purchasing. Women’s fitted tees run small; if you prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

How do I send gifts?

All items ship without prices and include a simple packing slip for easy gifting. Enter the recipient’s shipping address and your billing address at checkout. Use your contact info to receive tracking updates. Orders typically arrive within 6–11 business days—please allow extra time for time-sensitive gifts.

How do I care for my item?

For apparel: wash cold, inside-out, with like colors; avoid bleach and high heat; tumble dry low or hang dry. For embroidery, iron inside-out to protect the stitching. See specific care instructions in product descriptions and also follow general best practices in caring for your items for long term enjoyment.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item on demand using premium blanks, embroidery, and soft-hand prints. Production usually takes 2–5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). You’ll receive tracking once shipped. We currently ship to U.S. addresses via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Most orders arrive within 6-12 business days.

What’s the return/exchange policy?

We accept returns for defects, misprints, or damage on arrival. Report issues within 30 days with photos and your order number, and we’ll replace or refund. Size or color changes aren’t supported after purchase, so please consult size charts before ordering if you are at all unsure.

Who are we?

Merlin Classics is a volunteer-run, AI-assisted apparel project celebrating timeless local style. Every item is made to order, and profits (revenue minus external product/marketing cost) support hunger-relief programs in the communities our collections spotlight. Classic looks, real local impact—every purchase helps.