Founded in 1878, it was the oldest institution of higher learning in Alaska and maintained a historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church.

Due to declining enrollment, the college closed in 2007; four years later, ownership of its campus was transferred to the organization behind the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

[4] The school was founded in 1878 by Fannie Kellogg and future Governor of Alaska John G. Brady for the Tlingit people.

Initially known as the Sitka Industrial and Training School, it nearly closed in 1882 after its original facility, located over a military barracks, burned down.

The Presbyterian missionary Sheldon Jackson came to the rescue of the school, raising funds through a national campaign, leading to the construction of a new building on the site of the present campus.

About this process, President David Dobler said, "SJC’s current authorization to operate as an Alaska post-secondary institution has been extended until July 2006, and SJC, at that time, will be required to provide the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) with documentation of financial and administrative capacity in order for authorization to be renewed."

On June 29, 2007,[citation needed] all academic operations were suspended and all faculty and staff were dismissed due to cash flow shortages.

[1][7] Beginning in 2018, Outer Coast College students, professors and faculty members have been hosted on the main campus.

[11] The main campus buildings were designed by the, then just starting, firm of Ludlow and Peabody of Boston with aspects of western stick style.

[10] The entire campus, comprising 18 contributing properties and 3 non-contributing buildings, was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 2001.

[14]: 120–3  The Stratton library building contained 48,000 items in its collection with over 10 percent of all material being directly related to Alaska's history, including many first edition books and rare periodicals.