Martin Itjen

Who was Martin Itjen?

Martin Itjen is most famous for being the unofficial premier tour director of Skagway, Alaska in the early 1900s. He held many distinct titles, including that of miner, railroad employee, hotel operator, hack service, the town's undertaker, Ford motor car dealer, and a tour guide. Much of Skagway's early history was saved from destruction because of his interest in the city.

Martin was born in Dorum, Germany. He arrived in the United States on February 5, 1891 in Charleston, South Carolina. Relatives say Martin denied his German citizenship, claiming he was from Austria, possibly to evade the German draft of the era. From Charleston, Martin went to Jacksonville, Florida and set up shop as a storekeeper. It is assumed by Martin's descendants, that Martin met his wife, Lucille Petitclare here, as Lucy's death certificate also notes that she had several cousins in Florida.