The Russian Empire began its interest of the Pacific Northwest in the 18th century, initially curious if there was a land connection between the Eurasian and North American Continents.
Being the first European nation to chart much of what comprises the modern American state of Alaska, many locations retain Russian place names.
[1] By the mid century the creation of companies was required to shoulder the increasing operational costs.
Grigory Shelikhov was prominent amongst these rising merchants, creating Russian settlements on Kodiak Island and later perpetrating the deaths of many Alutiiqs in the Awa'uq Massacre.
The newly formed Russian-American Company (RAC) was expected to additionally create new colonies to strengthen the Russian claims to the region.