Photo by the MarPockStudios

First named Denali by the Den’ina people of Alaska, the mountain is now officially known as Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, which stands 20,310 feet tall.

Each year, around 1,000 -1,200 people attempt to climb the mountain. Only about half of them make it. And all of them use modern-day survival gear, climbing equipment, and cozy tents.

Our Story Begins in the 1800s

Walter Harper was born in 1892, the son of a Koyukon Athabascan mother. The family’s home village was Tanana, located where the Tanana and Yukon Rivers meet, about 130 miles west of Fairbanks in Alaska’s interior.

At the age of 16, Harper attended St. Mark’s Mission School in Nenana, Alaska, where he met a man named Hudson Stuck, the Archdeacon of the Yukon. Hudson was impressed with Walter and hired him as his interpreter, guide, and musher for his dog team.

The Expedition: Let’s Climb Mt. McKinley

When Harper was 19 or 20, Stuck invited him to join the 1913 Karsten-Stuck Expedition to climb to the summit of Mt. McKinley.

In the photo above, Walter Harper is seen on the far right.

Other members of the group included Harry Peter Karstens, Robert Tatum, and two teens, Johnny Fredson and Esaias George, who were hired to work the base camp.

The expedition left from Nenana on March 17, 1913.

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Climbing 20,310 Feet: It wasn’t a Sunday Picnic

Steep walls and deep crevasses had to be conquered at Muldrow Glacier.

At one point, there was a fire in their tent.

And it took three weeks to make it through what is now known as Karsten’s Ridge. At the time of their climb, the ridge trail was blocked by large rocks and huge chunks of ice left by an earthquake the year before.

The Final Camp: 18,000 feet, the Highest Camp Ever in North America

On June 6, the expedition set up its final camp before ascending to the top of the mountain.

The very next morning, they left camp at 4:00 am.

“Looking Out of a Window of Heaven”

Then at 1:30 pm on June 6, 1913, Walter Harper was the first man to set foot on the 20, 310 foot summit of the tallest mountain in North America.

When expedition member Robert Tatum joined him, Tatum stood there in awe, he said, it was like “Looking out of a window of Heaven.” On the summit, Tatum planted a flag he had made out of handkerchiefs.

The team also planted a 6-foot cross.

Going Up and Going Back Down

It took 50 days to climb to the summit. But it only took 2 days to get back down to the base camp.

On June 20, the expedition crew returned to Nenana, 3 months and 4 days after leaving to climb the McKinley summit.

In 1913, following their successful ascent, Stuck named Harper Glacier in Walter Harper’s honor. Harper Glacier can be found on the upper slopes of Mt. McKinley about 3 miles northeast of the main summit.

And What About Walter Harper?

In 1918, at the age of 25, Harper married Frances Wells.

Shortly after that, the couple boarded the SS Princess Sophia in Skagway on their honeymoon, headed for Seattle.

During the voyage, the SS Princess Sophia hit a reef and everyone on board was lost at sea.

The incident is often referred to as “the unknown Titanic of the West Coast.”

Remembering Walter Harper

June 7 is now designated by the U.S. Congress as Walter Harper Day in Alaska.

And on July 19, 2022, a life-size bronze statue of Walter Harper was unveiled in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska.

How Many Today?

In 1932, 19 years after Walter Harper set foot on the summit of Mt McKinley, the Lindley-Liek Party successfully reached the top of the mountain.

And every year, more brave the challenges faced by Harper to stand at the top.

As of 2026, around 50,000 to 51,000 have attempted the climb. Around half of those, or over 26,000, have successfully reached the highest peak.

BONUS

Do you want to know more about Walter Harper?

Take a look at Walter Harper, His Life and Heritage, and discover.

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Alaska Stories.com

Pictured above is Mary “Marvel” Crosson.

Like many things in Alaska, it takes a certain kind of person to overcome the wilderness, harsh environment, and rugged roads (when you can find them), which make the Great Land the last frontier.

And many, if not most, of the pioneers who paved the way were men.

But in this edition of Alaska Stories, we’re looking at two women who took on the Great Land… and won.

Her Love of Flying

Mary “Marvel” Crosson was born in 1904. Then, when she was either 9 or 13 years old, Marvel and her younger brother Joe saw an airplane—and their world was never the same.

In 1925, Marvel and Joe purchased and rebuilt a surplus Curtiss N-9 seaplane. Joe also taught Marvel how to fly, and she soloed that same year.

Then, in 1926, Joe was contacted by a friend about a job opening in Alaska for a commercial pilot. Joe headed north while Marvel stayed behind, planning to join her brother later.

In Alaska, Joe became friends with early Alaska bush pilots like Ben Eielson, Noel Wien, Russ Merrill, and others.

Alaska, Here We Come

Joe came back from Alaska to visit Marvel, and in 1927, the two boarded a steamer headed for Alaska.

In the Last Frontier, Marvel began flying with Joe and had this to say about the Alaska environment. “It takes hours to get your planes warmed up, and then the daylight is all gone nearly.” “Even the hangers and sheds are cold (and) you have to work in mittens, or your hands would freeze fast to the metal parts.”

On March 17, 1928, Marvel earned her limited commercial certificate from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Then, pilot Ben Eielson took her on a check ride. Following that, Marvel could be hired as a pilot to carry freight and mail.

And that gave her the distinction of being Alaska’s first licensed female pilot in the Territory of Alaska. She was officially an Alaska bush pilot.

It should be noted here that at the time of her Alaska achievement, there were fewer than 70 women in all of the United States who had a pilot’s license.

One of Marvel’s assignments was to scatter supplies over rugged Alaska terrain. And once the newspapers in the lower 48 got word of it, they quickly gave her the nickname, “Alaska’s Aviation Grocery Girl.” Along the way, Marvel was also called “Bird Girl” and “Pollyanna of the North”, among others.

As a woman in the male-dominated field of the Alaska bush pilot, Marvel had to take a lot of guff from fellow pilots and mechanics. But through it all, she remained a trailblazer.

In 1929, Marvel also achieved the women’s altitude flying record at 23,996 feet.

Her time in Alaska was short. She left the Great Land and began flying in the lower 48.

Alaska Remembers

In 2009, Mary “Marvel” Crosson was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.

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Ellen Evak Paneok

Pictured above is Ellen Paneok.

A bush pilot, author, and artist, Ellen Paneok became the first Alaskan woman of Indigenous ancestry to get a pilot’s license.

Ellen’s mother, Bernice Evak Burgandine, was from Kotzebue, Alaska. Ellen was given the nickname of “Paneok” by her mother. The name is from an Inupiaq word that translates into “fish’s tail.” Ellen went on to legally change her name to Paneok.

Growing up in Anchorage, she was inspired by a magazine article to pursue a career in aviation as a pilot.

Beginning in 1976, with money from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Ellen was able to start her flying lessons, which had become an obsession.

Because of her strong desire to fly, Ellen would often skip school to take her flying lessons at Merrill Field in Anchorage. And since she still didn’t know how to drive, she took a bus to the airfield.

When her money began to run out, Paneok began creating artwork to sell to tourists.

But it all paid off.

In 1979, at the age of 20, Ellen Paneok became the first female licensed pilot of indigenous Alaskan ancestry.

High blood pressure kept her from pursuing a career in aerobatics, so Ellen became a bush pilot.

As a bush pilot, she was nicknamed “Owl Eyes” because she was able to fly in almost any type of Alaska weather.

In 2012, Ellen Paneok was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.

And here’s a quote from Ellen:

“When you decide to do something, don’t let anyone or anything discourage you, it’s up to you.”

BONUS

Learn more

Take a look at Ellen Paneok and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our First Automobile Manufactured in Alaska edition

From Aletha:

“I think this is one of the best stories I have read. You both always have great input to Alaska's history. Thank you”

And Jerry makes this point:

“Sometimes these geniuses will outperform the brainiacs. I love this story. I have known some who were close to passing over to crazy. Love this story.”

Joe has a question:

“Wasn't this car on display at the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks before it became the Museum of the North?”

Discover Alaska

photo by John DeLeon

Enjoy reading about Alaska towns, movies made by Alaskans, and Old Alaska Highway memories.

Take a look at Discover Alaska and have an adventure in the Great Land.

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Alaska Stories.com

Pictured above is Bobby Sheldon in Skagway, Alaska.

At the age of 22, Bobby Sheldon decided to build an automobile… to impress a girl.

It was like this.

In 1905, a girl that Bobby liked was being escorted around Skagway in a fancy horse and buggy by the son of a local doctor. Bobby thought that if he had an automobile, he would win the girl over.

But Bobby had only seen automobiles in newspapers and magazines.

His solution was to build an automobile from salvaged parts. He got a two-cycle marine engine from a sunken boat, buggy wheels from freight carts, and his seats had been two barstools.

The 1905 Sheldon Runabout

When it was completed in 1905, Sheldon’s creation was the first ever automobile built in Alaska.

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Bobby Sheldon, Alaska Pioneer

Pictured above is one of Sheldon’s Ford Model T cars, crossing the Tanana River.

Sheldon went on to become the first person to cross the Valdez Trail in a gas-powered automobile. The automobile he used was a Ford Model T, not his Sheldon Runabout.

At that time, the Valdez Trail was nothing more than a 360-mile trail for dog teams linking Valdez to Fairbanks.

Over the trail, Sheldon’s trip took 4 days at an average speed of 9 miles per hour.

At one point, Bobby had a fleet of 15 Model Ts that he used to transport people from Fairbanks to Valdez over the Valdez Trail.

Bobby Sheldon’s Life

Sheldon went on to become a Road Commissioner and the first person to bus visitors into Denali National Park.

Along the way, Sheldon ran a post office for a while and served in the Alaska State Legislature.

What About the Girl?

Sheldon did take the girl on, as he put it, “many an exciting spin at 15 miles per hour.”

In a 1931 interview, a reporter asked Sheldon if he had married the girl he hoped to impress with his 1905 Sheldon Runabout.

Bobby replied, “No, but three other fellows have since then.”

Apparently, the girl’s mother had advised her daughter to “Stay away from Bobby. He’s a genius, but they’re only one step away from insanity.”

You Can See the 1905 Sheldon Runabout

You can still see The Sheldon Runabout on display at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska.

BONUS

Click on the link below to see a video of Sheldon’s automobile today.

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Bobby Sheldon was an amazing Alaska Pioneer.

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Mike and Mary Jane

Alaska Stories.com

NPS photo

Alaskan natives look to animals for inspiration. For them, an animal has their own spiritual story.

Totem poles are often used to represent an animal.

What Does the Dictionary Say?

The word totem is a noun. A totem is an emblem or a badge that features an animal or a plant. Each totem represents a family, clan, or tribe.

Golden Age of Totem Carving

1830 to 1880 is considered the golden age for totem carving.

Most Alaska totems were created using Western Red Cedar and, on occasion, Yellow Cedar. The reason has to do with both trees being decay-resistant.

Haida and Tlingit artists in southeast Alaska carved totems with traditional tools made of stone, bone, or beaver teeth. Later, because of trading, metal tools were introduced, and carvings became more intricate.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

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Alaska Governor John Brady

When Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million dollars, many considered the purchase to be a mistake.

Back then, “Seward’s Icebox” and “Seward’s Folly” were two of the names given to the purchase.

So Governor Brady decided to start showcasing Alaska.

Around 1903, Brady had 15 original totem poles collected from Haida and Tlingit villages on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska.

Those poles were then displayed at a 1904 Exhibition in St. Louis and a 1905 Exhibition in Portland.

The Totems in Sitka

In 1906, the totems returned to Alaska where they found a home in Sitka.

There, the totems were repaired and refurbished, then put on display in what is now the Sitka National Historical Park and the Totem Trail.

The Sitka National Historical Park is located in a rainforest of giant spruce trees. Established in 1890, the park covers 113 acres and is the oldest federally designated park in Alaska.

BONUS

There is much more to this story.

Take a look at the Sitka National Historical Park and discover.

You can also visit this Wikipedia look at the Sitka National Historical Park to learn more.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our look at Alaska Firsts

The Klawak Cannery was the first salmon cannery in Alaska. Located on Prince of Wales Island.

Jerry was there:

“Keep up the good work. I spent a few years up there.

1953 was the start when, after the last salmon was canned, they zipped her up until the first salmon arrived in the spring. Of course, the winter fishery of shrimp was going strong in the Petersburg and Wrangell areas. All local employees.

I moved my family to Wrangell, where I installed the first automated shrimp peeler in Alaska in 1956. We canned the shrimp. The other shrimp plants were hand peelers, and the market was all fresh. I could go on and on about the fishing industry. All of it.”

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Our look at Alaska totem poles and the Totem Trail in the Sitka National Historical Park has been fascinating.

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Alaska Stories.com

The view from Fort Tongass

The first military post in Alaska

Located on Tongass Island near the southern tip of the Alaska panhandle, Fort Tongass was established in 1868, following the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.

Shortly after Fort Tongass was up and running, other military posts were set up. Those included Fort Wrangell, a post on St. Paul Island, Kodiak Island, and the Kenai Peninsula.

The First U.S. Army Soldiers in Alaska

In 1867, the 9th Infantry Regiment was stationed in Sitka following that year’s transfer of Alaska from Russia.

First Salmon Cannery in Alaska

In 1878, the North Pacific Trading and Packing Company began operation at Klawock on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.

The cannery was in operation until 1929.

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The First Airplane Flight in Alaska

Pictured above are James and Lilly Martin.

The first airplane flight in Alaska took place in Fairbanks on July 4, 1913.

Captain James V. Martin and his wife, Lilly, flew over Exposition Park. The two reached an altitude of 200 feet, reaching a speed of 45 miles per hour.

An earlier attempt in 1913 took place in Nome, Alaska.

But that was a failure because the pilot, who was a resident of Nome, had built the aircraft from a kit. Unfortunately, the engine lacked enough power to get the plane off the ground.

The First Anchorage Flight

In April of 1922, pilot Roy Troxell flew a Boeing Seaplane over Cook Inlet before crashing into the mudflats shortly after takeoff.

The pilot was unharmed, but the aircraft was destroyed.

The First Airmail Delivery in Alaska

In 1924, a flight piloted by Carl “Ben” Eilson delivered the first airplane-delivered mail in Alaska.

Also in 1924, Noel Wien piloted the first non-stop flight between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Alaska Firsts

Yes, Alaska is a big land, the last frontier, and a place filled with firsts. The ones included here are just a few.

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It doesn’t matter how you look at it. Alaska is a fascinating place, filled with a rich history, adventurous pioneers, and many firsts.

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Alaska Stories

1924 photo above by Frank E. Kleinschmidt

I remember the first time I was asked if our family lived in an igloo.

We were visiting relatives in Texas. I was about 15 years old, and when a family friend found out that I was from Alaska, they asked if we lived in an igloo.

At first, I thought they were kidding me. But they were serious.

All About the Igloo

The word igloo comes from the Inuit word “iglv”, meaning house.

In Alaska, igloos were first used around 500AD.

While some think of igloos as permanent housing for Alaska’s native population, igloos were used as temporary housing for winter survival.

The Craft of Building an Igloo

An Alaska native skilled in the art of creating igloos can construct one in about 1 to 2 hours.

Most igloos are created as dome-shaped structures. The art of crafting a dome-shaped igloo out of compacted snow takes a lot of knowledge.

It all starts with a snow drift of fine-grained, compacted snow. The builders cut the drift into blocks, using metal knives. Originally, a bone knife was used as the cutting tool.

The blocks are stacked together in a way that creates a dome-shaped structure.

A small entrance to the igloo could be slanted downward and covered inside the entrance with seal skin to prevent cold wind from blowing into the structure.

Swankier igloos might even include a block of ice that acted like a window.

The interior of an igloo.

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A Refuge from the Cold

While it was bitter cold outside, say 49 degrees below zero or more, the inside temperature of an igloo was remarkably warm.

Temperatures inside can range from 19 degrees to as warm as 61 degrees as a result of body heat alone.

Behold the Igloo

A completed igloo in Point Barrow, Alaska.

Mary’s Igloo

For the record, Mary of Alaska Stories is 1/4 Alaskan Indian, but she has never been inside an igloo.

This story of Mary’s Igloo is about a very tiny village near Nome, Alaska.

In the early 1900s, a small settlement was given the name, Mary’s Igloo, after an Inupiag woman who liked to welcome trappers, miners, and others into her home for a cup of coffee.

Mary’s Igloo became a transfer point for supplies headed for the gold fields.

By 1910, this tiny community was home to around 141 people. There was a post office, a store, and schools.

However, by 1952, all but a few people who lived in Mary’s Igloo had moved to Nome or Teller, Alaska.

Today, Mary’s Igloo is no more.

Have You Ever Been Inside an Igloo or Built Your Own?

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BONUS

Would you like to know more about igloos?

Take a look at Igloos and discover.

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So now that you know all about igloos, you can head outside in the winter and build your own. You’ll be the talk of the neighborhood.

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Alaska Stories

Notice the horse-drawn sleds going over Thompson Pass in the photo above. Year unknown.

Can you even imagine what 974 inches of snow (which is over 81 feet) in one year would look like?

Thompson Pass is the snowiest weather station in Alaska. In 1952–1953, the snowfall that year was measured at 974 inches. The most snow ever recorded in one location in Alaska.

Note:

But wait, believe it or not, 974 inches of snow in one season at one location is not the most for the entire United States.

Mount Baker Ski Resort in Whatcom County in Washington state holds that record with 1,140 inches of snow (around 95 feet), recorded in 1998-1999. Mount Baker is located about 52 miles east of Bellingham, Washington, in the Cascade mountains near the Canadian border.

The Challenge

Ok, Alaska, Washington state’s 1,140 inches is only 166 inches or 13.8 feet more than Alaska’s 974 inches.

So, come on, Thompson Pass weather, you can come up with that, plus a few inches more for a new United States record.

Now back to Thompson Pass

You’ll find Thompson Pass northeast of Valdez, Alaska, 2,678 feet high in the Chugach mountains.

The pass also holds the Alaskan record for the most snow in a single day at 62 inches, which is over 5 feet. That record was set on December 29, 1955. Talk about a white Christmas.

They Were First

The Alaska native Ahtna people were there first. They had trails over the region for centuries.

Enter U.S. Army Captain William Abercrombie

Then, in 1898, U.S. Army Captain William Abercrombie led an expedition seeking "an all-American route from coastal Alaska to the Klondike during the gold rush.”

Abercrombie gave it the name “Thompson Pass” in honor of Frank Thomson, whose last name was spelled without the letter “P”. However, Abercrombie wrote the name as Thompson instead of Thomson on his sketched map of the area.

Note:

Frank Thomson was a prominent Pennsylvania financier, railroad executive, and philanthropist.

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The Klondike Gold Rush

Thompson Pass was used by the Klondike Gold Rush stampeders. However, after it had been in use for a while, it became known as a treacherous route.

Later, the trail became the Valdez-Eagle Trail.

Because of the Klondike Gold Rush, Valdez became a port for 1800s miners, who used Thompson Pass to get to the gold fields.

Keystone Canyon

In 1898, the U.S. Army created a trail through a section of Thompson Pass called Keystone Canyon.

Note:

The canyon location also helped to create another route to Alaska’s interior. That route would later become the Richardson Highway, the first long-distance road into Alaska’s interior.

They Had a shoot-out

In the 1900s, railroad companies wanted to control the area.

But conflicts caused a tense atmosphere. In 1907, an actual shoot-out between rival railroad companies ended hope that Valdez would become a railroad town.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline

Photo by Luca Galuzzi

The early 1970s saw thousands of workers putting together the Alaska pipeline.

Thompson Pass provided the overland transportation link to Valdez, which is where the pipeline ends.

Thompson Pass

Today, Thompson Pass is a modern, paved highway connecting Valdez to interior Alaska. However, it’s still a challenging, snowy drive.

Great Memories

Fill your heart and feed your soul with the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club.

Take a look at The Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club and enjoy.

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But I say this… an Alaska winter can come up with 1,140 inches of snow in one year up in Thompson Pass, plus a measly 14 inches more, so we can take that record away from the state of Washington. What do you think?

Have you ever been to Thompson Pass? We want to hear about it.

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Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

In 1926, Alaska Territorial Governor George Parks called for the design of an Alaska flag.

The American Legion put together a contest for Alaska youth in the 7th through 12th grades.

A 14-year-old named John Ben “Benny” Benson Jr. entered the contest.

In the picture above is Benny Benson

Benny was born in Chignik, a fishing village on the Alaska Peninsula. When he was only 3 years old, his mother died of pneumonia. Shortly after that, the family’s home was destroyed by a fire.

Benny’s father was unable to care for his children, so Benny was sent to the Jesse Lee Home orphanage in Unalaska.

In 1925, the Jesse Lee Home was relocated to Seward, Alaska, located on the Kenai Peninsula.

Benny Entered the Alaska Flag Design Contest

In 1927, Benny sat down at his school desk and drew his idea for the Alaska flag. His design included the Big Dipper constellation and the North Star on a blue background.

Benny wrote the following to accompany his design:

“The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska flower. The North Star is for the future of the state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is the Great Bear - symbolizing strength.”

Judging

There were over 700 entries, with 142 designs selected by local competitions to be sent to Juneau for final judging by a 7-member panel.

All 7 judges chose Benny Benson’s Alaska flag design as the winner.

“I Darned Near Fell Out of my Chair”

Benny recalled how he first learned that he had won the contest:

“One day our teacher’s husband came in the room and he brought a telegram, she just looked at it and her mouth dropped open. She was speechless… And i darned near fell out of my seat I guess.”

What Benny Had Won

Benny won a gold watch with his design on the back. In 1963, his watch was donated to the Alaska State Museum in Juneau.

He was also flown to Washington, D.C., to present the new Alaska flag to President Calvin Coolidge.

In addition, Benny was awarded $1,000, which he later used to attend a Diesel engine repair school.

Benny’s original flag, made of blue silk, was first flown on July 9, 1927, in Seward, Alaska.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will name an Alaska Mountain after you… Well, it could happen.

Note:

The Alaska flag is the only one of the 50 state flags designed by a Native American.

The Jesse Lee Home in Seward is now known as the “Birthplace of Alaska’s Flag.”

Benny passed away at the age of 58. You can visit the Benny Benson Memorial at mile 1.4 on the Seward Highway.

Benny is Remembered with Honors

In 2025, Daren Herman, the grandson of Benny Benson, accepted an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Alaska Pacific University, in memory of his grandfather’s achievment.

BONUS

A Poem and a Song

Marie Drake was so taken by Benny’s flag design and the words he wrote that she composed the following poem:

“Eight stars of gold on a field of blue,
Alaska's flag, may it mean to you,
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes and the flowers nearby,
The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams,
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The "Bear," the "Dipper," and shining high,
The great North Star with its steady light,
O'er land and sea a beacon bright,
Alaska's flag to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.”

In 1935, her poem was published in the October issue of the Department of Education’s School Bulletin to help teach children about the territory’s flag.

Three years later, in 1938, Elinor Dusenbury composed the music that accompanies the poem by Marie Drake.

In the photo, Elinor Dusenbury is on the left, with Marie Drake on the right.

The two ladies met for the first time in the summer of 1938 in the Baranof Hotel in Juneau. During their meeting, Dusenbury played her composition for Drake.

The Alaska Flag Song

In 1955, the Territorial Legislature officially adopted the poem and musical composition written by Marie Drake and Elinor Dusenbury. It became the Official Alaska State song in 1959 when Alaska became the 49th State.

Click below to hear the song and see the lyrics:

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Mary, just like you, every time I hear the Alaska Flag song, it brings tears of joy to my heart and my eyes. What a great Alaska Story.

What are your memories of the Alaska Flag and the song?

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Alaska Stories

In the photo above is Captain William Moore, 1825–1909

Hearty dreamers and adventurers navigated the waterways, discovered gold, and built towns in Alaska. Captain William Moore was just such a man.

Moore was a steamship captain, businessman, miner, and explorer. He was known to his friends as “Buddy” and “The Flying Dutchman.”

He first came to what would become Skagway, Alaska, in the spring of 1887 as part of a Canadian survey expedition.

Note:

The original Alaska Tlingit people called the area Shgagwei, meaning “Home of the North wind”, or “Windy place.” The name Skagway is the English adaptation of that word.

There Was Going to be a Gold Rush

Because of spending time exploring with George Carmack, who we will take a look at in a moment, Moore had become convinced that a major gold strike would take place in the Canadian Klondike.

After first seeing the Skagway area, Moore returned in October 1887 to homestead. But he had much bigger plans.

He was going to establish a town and a wharf to accommodate steamships carrying miners and supplies. All of this so that he could cash in on the gold rush.

Note:

We mentioned George Carmack earlier.

Carmack went on to discover gold along a tributary of the Yukon River. The creek was called Rabbit Creek, but after Carmack’s gold strike, it was renamed Bonanza Creek.

So Captain Moore was right.

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And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on an all-expense-paid, luxury 80-day adventure around the world in a hot air balloon… well, it could happen.

Pictured above is Captain William Moore’s original cabin, now the oldest building in Skagway.

Now, Moore set himself up to profit from the gold stampede that began in 1897.

Welcome to Mooresville

The photo above shows Moore’s Wharf on the right side.

Those arriving in the area found themselves at Moore’s wharf and in the town of Mooresville. His settlement became a boom town overnight, and the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. Moore was on a path to become very wealthy.

His Son, Ben Moore

When Captain Moore returned to the area to set up his town, he brought his adult son Ben with him.

Ben Moore is on the right in the picture above. The moose was named Carnation.

Somehow, Ben got hold of a very young Moose. He named the moose Carnation and kept it in his yard. He also hooked the moose up so that it could pull a small two-wheel cart. Ben even showed off Carnation and the cart in a few parades.

Not So Fast Moore

The gold stampeders pushed Moore aside and took over the town.

And they decided to rename the town Skaguay. Notice the spelling. Later, the spelling of the name was changed to the current, Skagway.

While taking over, the stampeders literally pushed Moore aside.

A surveyor named Frank Reid plotted a new town layout. As a result, Captain Moore’s cabin had to be moved to a different location in the new town.

Note:

On July 8, 1898, Frank Reid, who had laid out the new town, would become famous for killing a con man known as Soapy Smith in a gunfight on Juneau Wharf in Skagway.

I’m Outa Here, Or Not

Captain Moore ended up leaving Skagway for a time. But not for long.

Pictured above is the new home Captain Moore built next to his original cabin.

When Moore returned to Skagway, he built a new house next to his original cabin. His new home included a second-story room that was set up like a pilot house on a steamship. That way, he could look out the window and watch the ships in the bay.

Gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush

Captain William Moore left Skagway for good in 1907.

He moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where he spent the remainder of his days.

Yes, Moore had realized his dream of establishing a town as the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. But his dream didn’t turn out as he had envisioned. Instead, he had lost fortunes along the way.

BONUS

Would you like to know more?

Take a look at William Moore, Steamship Captain, and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Anchorage Seward Highway Memories.

Peter (Jerry Rose) recalls his memories:

“I was three years old (and living in Seward) when the highway opened. My dad was an active member of the Seward Chamber of Commerce at the time, so I’m guessing he participated in the ceremonies.

It was a big deal in those days to be able to make the trip from Seward to Anchorage and return. I recall that as work continued on paving roads into the Kenai Peninsula (where we had a cabin on Kenai Lake), that we often ended up having to follow a pilot car for a mile or two. I thought that was so cool! At night, road crews would leave smudge pots burning to mark the sides of the roads under construction.

In current videos I’ve watched, it’s amazing how the main highway has been widened and transformed to make it safer and more comfortable a drive. We always stopped at Moose Pass Inn for lunch or just to take a break from the drive. A mere 127 miles, but it passes through some of the most gorgeous countryside. I must have been about 7 at the time, but I vividly remember watching a Golden Eagle swoop down and grab a salmon from the nearby river! The last time I made the trip on the highway was 1984.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

The story of Captain William Moore is a great example of the many adventurous pioneers who came to Alaska and paved the way for many others.

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Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories.com

In 1964, Alaska was violently shaken by a 9.2 earthquake that lasted for 5 minutes.

The island of Kodiak, Alaska, is located in the Gulf of Alaska, about 250 air miles from Anchorage. The second-largest island in the United States, Kodiak, is only smaller than Hawaii.

During the 1964 earthquake, the downtown area northeast of the island sank almost 6 feet. The commercial fishing harbor was destroyed. More than 125 structures, including canneries and warehouses, were devastated.

Shortly after the quake, and because of the potential for a tsunami, everyone in the low-lying areas of Kodiak was told to quickly head for higher ground.

At least 10 waves struck Kodiak about 30 to 90 minutes apart. The tsunami waves continued for 11 hours.

The First Tsunami Wave

Around 40 minutes after the quake had stopped, except for violent aftershocks, the first tsunami wave hit Kodiak. It tore apart the waterfront and the downtown area. Fishing boats were left piled up on what remained of the breakwater.

The Second Wave

One hour later, a larger and stronger wave hit Kodiak. The devastation continued.

The Largest Wave

At around 10 pm, a 30-foot-tall wall of water struck the area. It sent huge boats crashing into downtown shops.

It destroyed the docks, canneries, and waterfront warehouses.

By morning, the boat harbor was gone.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

BONUS

What was it like when the tsunami hit Kodiak?

Author Jerry Tilly was working aboard a boat in Kodiak and wrote a fascinating story about what he experienced on that day.

Here is part of his story:

“We were near the nonexistent entrance of the boat harbor trying to lasso another boat when the northeastern wave hit us and drove us sideways into the southwestern wave, and the combination of the two forces generated a giant whirlpool.

We were now going backwards with the main engine in full forward position in this swirling vortex with about a ten-degree list. The skipper told me to go down and drive that wedge back into the throttle, which I did in record time. The skipper had the wheel hard over to no avail.

There was a red house on the hill just north of the city dock that had been washed from its foundation and was floating along with all the other flotsam; only this house had somehow managed to enter the swirling vortex inside the Fortress. It started to break up and disappeared right before our eyes. We could look right down into this black hole.”

You can read the entire 1964 Alaska Earthquake Tsunami story right here.

Don Suryan and the Fishing Boat, “Shafto”

by Cindy Suryan,

former Anchorage, Alaska TV news anchor and talk show host

Good Friday, March 27, 1964, wasn’t a day that was talked about much in our household. My father, Don Suryan, found it difficult to share what it was like to survive a tsunami. He was part of a family with a long history of fishing and processing the Alaskan waters. He would spend months in Kodiak, AK while the rest of the family was in Anacortes, WA. That all changed after the events of that Good Friday.

My dad and his crew of the “Shafto,” were settled in a cove, working on their gear. As Dad entered the captain’s quarter’s he heard a voice tell him to get to town. As strange as it may sound, he felt he needed to heed that warning. He told his brother, Bill Suryan, and the rest of the crew, to get ready to go. The crew wasn’t sure why, but they followed the captain’s orders. When they arrived back to the Kodiak Harbor, the Great Alaska Quake happened. Dad knew what was coming next so they headed back out to deeper water to try to save their vessel and their livelihood.

From what I understand, they were followed by other boats heading out of the channel and witnessed those who couldn’t make it because the water had receded. One of those was a very large ship and unfortunately, it couldn’t help but come down on top of a smaller boat. Crushing it.

The Shafto did make it to the deeper water, but what those on board witnessed would be burned in their memories. Details are sketchy because dad found it very hard to talk about. As they rode it out, I remember dad saying that there was debris from the town and bottles of liquor (from the damaged liquor stores in Kodiak) floating all around them. They knew the news wouldn’t be good, but they managed to survive it all.

I found an old Kodiak City Hall Bulletin from April 10, 1964. It stated that dad and his crew of the Shafto along with the Wren W and the Cindy W were among the first to get back to sea and start fishing for Dungeness Crab. The boats and the processors got the fishing industry back in business in just weeks.

An airplane pilot friend of dad’s later told him that he flew over the cove the Shafto had been anchored in before the tsunami. He told him that their boat would have been kindling had they stayed. Chilling to think about.

Dad moved us all up to Kodiak after this. He wanted his family with him. As a young girl, I remember arriving to a downtown area that was destroyed. Muddy streets, boardwalks for sidewalks and a fishing boat lying on its side in the school playground. We were all together though and that’s all that mattered.

Our thanks to Jerry Tilley and Cindy Suryan for sharing these fascinating stories.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Independence Mine Story edition

Eric shared this:

“My Dad work at Independence Mine in 1941. He was a mining engineering student at the University of Alaska. He is in the picture of the miners standing in the mouth of the mine on display at the park headquarters. (The only one with glasses.)”

Connect with Mike and Mary

As survivors of the great Alaska Earthquake of 1964, our memories fade with each passing year.

But sharing personal stories like what happened in Kodiak, during the quake and the devastating 11-hour onslaught of the tsunami that followed, is important for us and for generations to follow.

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Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

Pictured above are a few of the buildings from Independence Mine.

Located high in the Talkeetna Mountains, just 68 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska, is the Independence Mine State Historical Park.

The park is filled with spectacular scenery, mountain vistas, and a fascinating history.

In 1896 gold was first discovered in Willow Creek, located in the Talkeetna Mountains.

In 1904, Robert Lee Hatcher staked a hard rock gold claim in some quartz gold ledges high in the Talkeetna Mountains.

Hard Rock Cafe’- No

Hardrock Mining - Yes

Lode, which rhymes with “road,” is gold, or hardrock, that is found in bedrock or in a mineral vein. Miners had to dig tunnels, crush the rock, and hope to recover the gold.

Hatcher Pass

Picture of Hatcher Pass by Millere19

Notice the small road in the picture above?

To even get to the gold in the Talkeetna Mountains, a pass, now called Hatcher Pass, was used.

Robert Hatcher used the pass and called the place where he found gold the Independence Mine.

Other miners followed, and some of their mines were the Lucky Shot, the Maybel, and the Skyscraper. There were many more.

Hatcher Sells Some

At one point, Hatcher sold one-fourth of his claim to a local Knik, Alaska, merchant named Orville George Herning. The price was $1,500 in cash and the rest in grub.

A Very Productive Hardrock Mine

Later on, the Independence Mine became the second most productive hard mine in Alaska.

The most productive was the Alaska Juneau, or the AJ Mine, which was also one of the largest in the world. The AJ Mine was located in what is now downtown Juneau, Alaska, near Gold Creek. Part of the town of Juneau sits on waste rock from the mine.

At the peak of its operation, the Independence Mine had over 200 employees. There were 16 buildings connected by wooden tunnels.

From 1934 to 1951, the Independence Mine operation included 12 miles of tunnels that yielded almost $18 million in gold.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will buy you your very own gold mine… well, it could happen.

Skiing at Independence Mine

From 1960 into the 1970s, the Independence Mine Ski Resort was in operation.

Mike of Alaska Stories remembers skiing at the mine:

“In the 1960s the drive up Hatcher Pass to the ski resort was scary.

The road was steep and barely wide enough for two lanes. And the snow was very deep.

The ski resort used a former Independence Mine bunkhouse as the lodge and dining room. Rooms for overnight stays were located upstairs.

I went there with Julian Maule and his wife, Catherine. Julian had started the Double Musky Inn located in Girdwood, Alaska and he loved to ski. Julian also took along his accordion, and that night he entertained everyone in the lodge.

The next morning I got up early, enjoyed a great breakfast in the lodge, and then spent the day skiing.

A rope tow took us to the top of the hill, where the view was incredible.

At one point when I got to the top of the hill, I looked up and saw a remarkable sight. There was a metal cable strung between two mountain peaks, and a man was suspended from the cable in a big bucket. He was moving slowly from one peak to the other. I think he was a miner still working his claim. Wow.

I also saw the United States Army Biathlon Team using the Independence Mine area as a training ground for cross-country skiing.”

Robert Lee Hatcher

Robert Lee Hatcher went on to make other major Alaska strikes in the Willow Creek district and on the Kenai Peninsula.

He was also known to travel on horseback or on foot with his dog“ Blue”, as he went about what he loved, searching for his next lode strike.

Later, during World War II, gold mines were closing because the United States had reclassified gold mines as non-essential to the war effort.

Today, you can visit the Independence Mine State Historical Park and take a look at the remaining buildings of what was once a working gold mine. It’s a beautiful area of Alaska and well worth a visit.

BONUS

You can learn more about Robert Lee Hatcher.

Take a look at the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame and discover.

Contact Mike and Mary

Imagine how hard it must have been to haul all that lumber and equipment up Hatcher Pass when they were first developing those gold mines.

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Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

Pictured above is Talkeetna in 1917.

Do you remember the quirky 1990s TV show Northern Exposure?

In the photo above is a modern-day look at part of Talkeetna.

The TV show, Northern Exposure, was set in the fictional village of Cicely, Alaska. Supposedly, the actual village of Talkeetna was the inspiration for the fictional Cicely. You decide.

Side Note:

Mary and I (Mike) of Alaska Stories want to go on the record by stating that we think the name “Cicely” was the worst name ever as a Hollywood name for an Alaska town.

What’s a Talkeetna?

Pronounced TALL-KEEt-nah, it comes from the Dena’ina word K’Dalkitnu, meaning “river of plenty” or “food is stored river.”

The Dena’ina used the rivers in the area much like we would use roads. There is a convergence of three rivers around Talkeetna. The Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna Rivers.

Talkeetna is around 114 road miles from Anchorage. Take the Glenn Highway toward the Matanuska Valley. Near Matanuska Lake, follow the Parks Highway and look to your left for Talkeetna.

The Great One

The Dena’ina named it “the great one.” At 20,310 feet tall, Denali is the largest mountain in North America.

Because Denali is just up the Parks Highway, only 152 miles from Talkeetna, the village of Talkeetna is also called the “Gateway to Denali.”

Gold

In 1897, William Dickey prospected for gold in the area.

But no gold was found until around 1898, when it was discovered at Cache Creek.

As a result, the Alaska Commercial Company built a small trading post in what would become Talkeetna.

In the picture above, a riverboat full of supplies arrives in Talkeetna

During the gold rush, Talkeetna was a steamer station for riverboats supplying miners and trappers in the area.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will give you an all-expenses-paid trip by dog sled from Anchorage to Talkeetna (winter only)… well, it could happen.

The Alaska Railroad

In 1915, the Alaska Engineering Commission chose Talkeetna for their headquarters as they began expanding the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks, which is north of Talkeetna.

Nagley’s Store

By 1917, there were around 1,000 people in the area. That’s the year H.W. Nagley opened a store in Talkeetna. It’s still there today.

The U.S. Post Office established its Talkeetna branch that same year.

The Talkeetna Village Airstrip

In 1938, the Talkeetna Village Airstrip made travel in and out much quicker.

The following year an airfield was built only a few hundred yards from the Village airstrip. The newer airfield became known as Talkeetna Airport.

Don Sheldon - Alaska Bush Pilot

Pictured above is Don Sheldon and his Talkeetna Air Service.

Sheldon was living in Anchorage when he decided to go as far north in Alaska as he could afford.

His funds took him as far as a train trip to Talkeetna. Ten years later, he opened Talkeetna Air Service.

Sheldon pioneered the technique of glacier landings on Denali and throughout the Alaska Range from 1947 to 1975.

His bush flying abilities made him a sought-after pilot for both civilian and military rescues in Alaska.

When they said, “No one can get through,” they knew it was time to contact Don Sheldon, who would complete the rescue in his Piper Super Cub.

BONUS

What was it like to live in the small village of Talkeetna in the 1970s?

Author Laura O’Siggins tells the story.

Take a look at The Flip Side of Peter Dana and enjoy.

His Honor - Stubbs the Cat

In the photo above, Stubbs the Cat poses for tourists.

In 1997, Nagley’s General Store needed a new cat.

They adopted a Manx mix with a short tail and named the cat “Stubbs.”

Now Talkeetna is unincorporated, which means there is no form of government.

So, naturally, someone had the idea to do something very different for the village, which is nothing new for the people of Talkeetna.

Stubbs the cat was given the distinction of being named the honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska. Stubbs performed his duties as mayor from April 12, 1997, until July 21, 2017.

During his time as the mayor, His Honor was known for taking long naps, purring, and posing for photos with his eyes closed.

While Stubbs is no longer with us, the tradition of honorary feline mayors continues in a special place called Talkeetna, Alaska.

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BONUS

In 1963, Talkeetna was named as the best spot in the U.S. to view the total solar eclipse.

As a result, a surge of people decended on Talkeetna to witness the event.

Visit Our Website

Take a look at Alaska Pages and discover.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Did you enjoy this look at Talkeetna, Alaska?

It’s a one-of-a-kind Alaska village.

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Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

In the photo above is the Matanuska Valley Colony in 1935.

They came from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan for the promise of a new life in a faraway place called Alaska.

The year was 1935. America was struggling with the Great Depression and drought.

200 families were chosen to make an incredible journey to Alaska’s Matanuska Valley, located about 35 miles from Anchorage.

Many of the families were not experienced farmers.

The Long Journey

They traveled by train to the west coast of the United States, then by ship to Alaska.

At the end of their long journey, each family received a 40-acre tract of land, housing, and supplies in a federally funded resettlement experiment. It was President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.

It was only the beginning of their journey, but it was a fresh start.

The Nearly Forgotten 400

Transient workers were chosen from California and the state of Washington to go up to Alaska ahead of the 200 colonists to clear some land and put up tents for the new arrivals.

These workers would also stay on to build homes for the colony.

Celebrations

When the colonists finally arrived in Anchorage, the 200 families were given a warm welcome.

The town declared the day a holiday. Large, happy crowds greeted the 200.

Anchorage was decorated with flags, and there were bands playing.

The weary travelers were greeted with receptions and a dinner at the Anchorage community hall.

Newspapers Across the U.S.

Headlines called the 200 “Alaskan Pioneers.”

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will give you a one-month, all-expenses-paid vacation to any place in the world… well, it could happen.

What the Colonists Found

Upon their arrival in the Matanuska Valley, the 200 families found rows of tents for them to live in.

Each tent was five feet tall and included a stove and cots for a family of 5 or less. Larger families had to double up.

Here’s what an anonymous colony housewife had to say:

“Our tents are 16 X 20 - a floor made of rough lumber about 12 inches wide with cracks of half an inch or more between boards.

The stoves look good, if you don’t use them - they are not successful bakers… it is difficult to keep clean, as it is such a dusty country.”

The 200 spent the first few months living in tents while their homes were being built.

Farmland

To begin with, farmland for the colonists to work was selected by drawing lots.

A Real Home

To get the 200 families out of their tents before the approach of the Alaskan winter, each family had a home built for them.

The homes included a barn, chicken house, brooder coop, well house, a shed, and an outhouse.

Starting to Look Like Home

By the summer of 1936, the Matanuska Colony was almost complete.

The new settlement had a hospital, school, warehouse, chicken hatchery, creamery, railroad depot, and trading post. Four churches soon became part of the colony.

A Complicated School System

200 families meant plenty of children of all ages.

Since there wasn’t one school for all the children, the colony put together a patchwork of solutions.

The Alaska Railroad donated a railroad car that was used for the first and second grades. A traveling teacher taught classes in a barn, and some students had to attend school in the nearby town of Wasilla and other locations.

Life in the Colony was Challenging

Of the original 200 families, some decided that the Matanuska Colony wasn’t for them, so they returned to the “lower 48.” A few families came down with medical issues, causing them to leave as well.

Let’s Have Some Fun

When the community center was built, it became the heart of the Matanuska Colony.

When a school was built, the colony held dances and holiday parties in the school gym.

Social clubs were formed, including 4-H and the Grange. Those groups met in the community center.

At one point, a University of Alaska instructor taught courses in weaving, canning, sewing, and other homemaking skills.

And a colony gift shop sold items made by colonists.

The First Fair

In the photo above is the first fair in 1936.

In 1936 an excited Matanuska Colony put together the valley’s first annual fair.

The fair would go on to become the Alaska State Fair.

Because of the Colony

The Matanuska Valley became a major agricultural center for Alaska.

And the nearby town of Palmer became an economic hub.

200 Were Chosen

In 1936, a Broadway play titled “200 Were Chosen” ran for 35 performances in November and December of that year. The play brought the Matanuska Colony adventure to life for America.

Today

The Matanuska Colony is remembered in a museum housed in an original 1935 farmhouse at 316 East Elmwood Avenue in Palmer, Alaska.

In addition, many of the original buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can also visit some of these buildings during the Alaska State Fair, held each year in Palmer.

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BONUS

Do you want to know more?

Take a look at The Matanuska Colony by the National Park Service and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our look at The First and Last in Alaska.

Joe remembers:

“We drove out of Anchorage January 1, 1959. We spent the first night on the road at the Parker House in Tok. In their luxury room, the one with the attached bath.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

This look at the history of the Matanuska Colony was fascinating.

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Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

Pictured above is the old Alaska Highway near Tok, Alaska, 1943.

Tok is known as the “Gateway to Alaska” because when you drive north on the Alaska Highway, it’s the first community you come to.

And when you drive south on the Alaska Highway, as you leave the 49th state, the last Alaskan community you’ll see is Tok.

And by the way, Tok is also known as the “Sled Dog Capital of Alaska.”

Before 1942, Tok Didn’t Exist

The Athabascan tribe has lived around the area for a long time.

But Tok began life as a construction camp for workers who were building the Alaska Highway in the 1940s.

For various reasons, it cost so much to put the camp together that it became known as the “million-dollar camp.”

The Name Game

Tok is pronounced like “joke” or “coke.”

There are a number of stories about where the name Tok came from.

One explanation is that it came from a version of the Athabascan word for “peaceful crossing” or “water.”

Another story claims that during construction of the Alaska Highway, the Army workers in the construction camp adopted a husky pup and named the dog “Tok” after the nearby Tokai River.

Yes, You Can Share this Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will give you a lifetime supply of your favorite dessert… well, it could happen.

How It Became a Community

Those who live in Tok will proudly tell you that Tok isn’t incorporated. It’s not a city, town, or village. And according to the Chamber of Commerce, Tok is a true wilderness community.

However, in 1946, Tok was proclaimed as a “presidential townsite.”

Following completion of the Alaska Highway, in 1946, a post office and a roadhouse were built in Tok. The first school was opened in 1947.

The Miracle Wind

In 1990, a fire caused by lightning jumped two rivers and the Alaska Highway, putting Tok in the path of destruction.

The community was evacuated, and over a thousand firefighters tried but could not stop the intense blaze.

Then, just as the first Tok building in its path was about to be destroyed by the flames, a “miracle wind” (so named by Tok residents) diverted the fire, and Tok was spared.

In 1991, Alaska Governor Walter J. Hickel proclaimed Tok “Mainstreet, Alaska.”

Modern-Day Tok

Photo above by Mark Wilson

Mary and I of Alaska Stories visited Tok every time we drove the Alaska Highway. My first trip was in the 1950s when his parents drove to the lower 48 from Alaska.

On those car trips, Tok was always a welcome place to rest up before getting back on the Alaska Highway.

Have you ever visited Tok?

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BONUS

All this talk about the Alaska Canadian Highway (ALCAN) deserves a closer look.

Driving on the highway in the early days was not for the faint of heart. It was no picnic. What follows is a collection of stories from Alaskans who made that journey.

Take a look at these Old Alaska Highway memories and ride along.

Alaska at Anchorage Memories.com

Take a look at these Alaska Pages and enjoy.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Remember those days on the Alaska Highway as you made your way into Tok, Alaska?

What are your memories of Tok?

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Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

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Utqiagvik is pronounced UUT-Kee-AH-vik.

To begin with, the Inupiat have lived around Utqiagvik since around 500 AD. Indigenous Inuit people inhabited the Arctic regions of Alaska and Canada.

Located on a peninsula that sticks out into the Beaufort Sea, the town’s motto is “The Northernmost American City.”

To put this in perspective, Utqiagvik is about 1300 miles south of the North Pole. It’s also approximately 720 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska.

Since there are no roads leading to the town, you can only fly there. The flight will take you nearly two hours from Anchorage.

But the town is more than that. It’s also among the oldest permanent settlements in the United States. In 2025 it’s estimated that 4,550 live there, making Utqiagvik the largest village on the Arctic Slope.

What does Utqiavik mean?

It means, “Place for gathering wild roots.”

So, you are likely wondering how to pronounce the name of the town. And here is the answer. (UUT-Kee-AH-vik).

The town was named Barrow, Alaska. It was named after Sir John Barrow of the British Admiralty. But as things go, in 2016, the town council opted to use a more appropriate name that honors their Inupiat heritage.

Yes, You can Share this Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy, they will send you on an all-expenses-paid trip to Tahiti… well, it could happen.

What About the Weather?

Because of the location, it’s plenty cold and dry.

Winter temperatures average about -19 below zero; however, the wind blows hard, and the windchill factor is significant.

Summers are short, with July bringing a nice balmy high of 47 degrees.

Land of the Midnight Sun

You may have heard that Alaska is also referred to as the “Land of the Midnight Sun.”

In Utqiagvik, summer brings 84 days of continuous daylight, from approximately May 10th to August 2nd. So you can bet that the kids never hear their parents say, “Come back in the house when it starts getting dark.”

In the wintertime, the good town folks see no sun from November to January, with strong winds making things frigid.

Homes on Stilts

In Utqiagvik, homes are built on stilts.

The reason has to do with the cold climate. The ground is deep permafrost (ground that remains frozen). If the homes were built on the ground, the permafrost could thaw. If it did, the ground would become unstable and release the dangerous radon gas.

To keep all that from happening, homes are built on stilts so cold winds can circulate and keep the permafrost frozen.

Top of the World

In case you are wondering, yes, Utqiagvik is a popular destination for tourists in Alaska.

Connect with Mike and Mary

You gotta love the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” And if you live, or have lived, in Alaska, you remember those long summer days.

Did you enjoy this look at Utqiagvik, Alaska?

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Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

In the photo above is Front Street in Nome, Alaska, 1900.

Our story began in a saloon in Nome in 1907.

Allan Alexander, “Scotty” Allan, was there.

“On a cold spring day in 1907 a group of us gathered around a stove in a Nome saloon and began talking about dog races. After a few weeks of arguing we worked out the rules of the All Alaska Sweepstakes”

In the photo above is Allan Alexander, “Scotty” Allan. He also ran the race and won several times.

The Race Trail - a Test of Endurance

The race would begin in Nome and go to Candle, Alaska, and then back to Nome. A total distance of around 408 miles.

In the photo above is Candle City, Alaska, 1903.

Candle, Alaska, is located on the west bank of the Kiwalik River and Candle Creek. It was founded in 1901 as a mining camp and had a post office by 1902.

A.A. “Scotty” Allan described the route to Candle.

“It was selected because the trail to it from Nome goes over all kinds of country, from sea ice to high mountains, with rivers, tundra, timber, glaciers, and everything else in the way of mental and physical hardships en route. We knew there wouldn’t be any doubt about the excellence of a dog or driver that covered it.”

In the 1910 photo above is the winning dog sled team in the third All Alaska Sweepstakes. John Johnson was the driver.

Johnson finished in 74 hours, 14 minutes, and 37 seconds.

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How Long?

The first race in 1908 was won by John Hegness in 119 hours, 15 minutes, and 12 seconds.

A.A. “Scotty” Allan won the race a total of three times. His fastest time was 80 hours, 49 minutes, and 41 seconds.

The fastest winner was Fay Delzene in 1913 with a time of 75 hours, 42 minutes, and 27 seconds.

In 2008, Mitch Seavey won a commemorative run of the race with a time of 61 hours, 29 minutes, and 45 seconds. The fastest time ever.

BONUS

Discover more.

Take a look at the All Alaska Sweepstakes by Helen Hegener.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our look at Wyatt Earp in Alaska.

Diana had this comment:

“This was a very interesting read, thank you so much!”

Oops! We got it wrong.

In our Wyatt Earp in Alaska edition of Alaska Stories, we incorrectly stated that the Second Chance Saloon on Front Street in Nome was Wyatt Earp’s. And that the Dexter also belonged to the Earps and used the same building. But sometimes, our research turns out to be in error.

Douglas sent this correction:

“M&M, the Dexter and the Second Class Saloon were both located on Front Street in Nome but were two separate establishments. The Second Class was owned by Dick Dawson and Charles C. Suter.”

Thank you, Douglas, for the correction.

M&M (Mike and Mary)

BONUS

Enjoy an Alaska eBook or Audio Story

Take a look at Alaska eBooks and enjoy.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Can you imagine how tough the All Alaska Sweepstakes race was?

Do you have a comment?

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Or you can Contact Us right here.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

The above is a portrait of Wyatt Earp

Our story begins in Wrangell, Alaska

Wyatt Earp was one of the most famous lawmen in the American West. Most have heard of the 1881 gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.

Sixteen years later, after leaving Arizona, Wyatt and his wife, Josephine “Sadie” Marcus Earp, had decided to head north to Alaska to cash in on several of the gold rushes.

But Wyatt wasn’t looking to get rich on the end of a pick and shovel. Instead, he would be “mining the miners” by setting up a saloon and gambling operation.

The Marshall of Wrangell, Alaska

In the photo above is Wrangell, Alaska, in 1898.

On their way to Nome in 1897, Wyatt and Josie stopped in Wrangell, where Earp took the interim job of town marshall until the new full-time marshall arrived.

Wyatt wore the badge for only 10 days.

On Their Way to Nome

After leaving Wrangell, Wyatt and Josie ended up in Rampart, Alaska, which is located on the south bank of the Yukon River, about 100 miles northwest of Fairbanks.

The two had to spend the winter in Rampart because the Yukon River was frozen over.

Wyatt Earp and the Nome, Alaska Gold Rush

While Wrangell, Alaska, had been rougher than Tombstone, Arizona, according to Wyatt, things were just as tough in 1898 Nome.

One of the big draws to the Nome gold rush was the idea that you could just “walk along the beach, bend over, and pick up gold nuggets.” So, there was a crush of people in Nome looking to get rich.

Wyatt’s Nome Saloon

Wyatt’s Nome saloon, was called the Dexter. It was located on Front Street in Nome.

The Earps decided to attract a “higher class” of customers with an upscale saloon and gambling establishment.

Business was good, but the Earps only operated the saloon during the summer months.

The two spent winters outside of Alaska, probably in California, where he had some mining claims.

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BONUS

Did Wyatt Earp Lose His Gun in Alaska?

Pictured above may be Wyatt Earp’s gun

The caption above reads:

“This weapon was checked in at the U.S. Marshall’s office in Juneau, June 27, 1900 by the notorious gunfighter Wyatt Earp. Earp departed for Nome aboard the S.S. Senator at 5:00am on June 29th prior to the opening of the marshall’s office.”

This story may have some “fuzz” on it (it may or may not be true), but here goes.

It’s not known for sure, but when Wyatt Earp and his wife, Josie, were passing through Juneau, Alaska, Wyatt had an encounter with some U.S. Marshalls.

The marshalls told Earp that they needed to confiscate his gun while he was in town. But he could get his gun back just before he boarded his steamship.

However, his steamer left Juneau before the U.S. Marshall’s office opened. So, Wyatt’s gun was left unclaimed.

Nowadays, you can see the unclaimed gun, which is on display at the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau.

Is the gun on the wall at the Red Dog Saloon really Wyatt Earp’s?

You decide.

Wyatt Earp’s Alaska Days

Yes, Wyatt Earp was in Alaska following his rise to fame after his shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.

And like we stated a little earlier, the story of his time in Alaska does have some “fuzz” on it.

Following his “mining the miners” adventure in Nome, Alaska, Wyatt and his wife, Josie, left Nome and returned to California with around $80,000, or $2 million in today’s dollars. Not bad.

BONUS

Do you want to know more?

Take a look at Wyatt Earp’s Alaskan Adventure and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From Alaska Stories and our “An Alaska Commercial Fishing Adventure” edition

Aletha had this comment:

“I would have left that boat, skipper, and his attitude the minute I learned about the hip waders; I would have jumped ship and walked away.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

What an interesting story. Did you know that Wyatt Earp and his wife Josie had spent so much time in Alaska during the 1800s gold rush?

Do you have a comment?

Leave a comment

You can also reply to this email, or you can Contact Us right here.

Until next time

Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

It was the hardest and most dangerous work I have ever done in my life.

When I was just 16 years old, our family moved to the small, picturesque town of Cordova, Alaska, on Prince William Sound. My dad was working on a road construction job, and we would only live in Cordova for about a year.

That summer, my dad came home one evening and said, “Mike, I got you a job on a commercial fishing boat. A purse seiner.” I had no idea what a purse seiner was, but I was about to find out.

A couple of days later, I was down at the docks and ready to go out to sea.

As I walked along between the fishing boats, most had a few things in common. They were fairly good-sized and had a tall mast and a power winch for pulling in the net.

Then I came to the boat I would be working on. It was much smaller than the other boats, and it had no mast or power winch. I would quickly discover that the small crew, and that included me, would pull in the net by hand.

As I stepped from the dock onto the deck of the boat, the skipper greeted me by telling me to unfasten my hip waders (those fishing boots that go all the way to the top of your legs) from my belt. Then he asked if I had them fastened on the inside around the calves of my legs. I did. So, the skipper said, “Unfasten them right now and push your hip waders down to just below your knees.”

The skipper went on to tell me that if I fell overboard with my hip waders fastened to my belt and around my legs, my hip waders would act like a boat anchor when they filled with water and would quickly pull me to the bottom of the sea.

I didn't need to hear any more. As fast as I could, I unsnapped my hip waders and pushed them down to just below my knees like a pirate wears their boots. Now if I fell overboard, I would be able to kick off my boots and make my way back to the surface - I hoped.

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Just before we cast off, the skipper told me to take the wheel. He then shouted, “Hard a port.” Well, I'd heard the words “port” and “starboard” before, but I had no idea which was left and which was right.

So, rather sheepishly, I asked, “Which way is “port?”

The skipper snarled back, “Always remember this: “I left port,” so port is left and starboard is right.” From the tone of the skipper's voice, I could tell that I had better remember all of it next time. Moments later, the skipper took the wheel, and I took one last look back at the docks as we headed out to sea.

And by the way, I used the word “sheepishly” when I described how I addressed the skipper. You should know, right here and now, that no one on a commercial fishing boat should ever say or do anything “sheepishly.” On an Alaska commercial fishing boat, you'd better man up, even if you're only 16.

Once we got across the bay and rounded Hawkins Island, located just to the west of Cordova, the open waters of Prince William Sound were in front of us. I used a pair of binoculars to see where we were headed. But my eyes got as wide as half dollars when I saw huge, rough ocean waves in our path.

I nervously ask the skipper, “Are we headed out there?” Much to my relief, the skipper said, “No, we're putting into a small bay for the night.”

After a simple, basic dinner, I discovered that my bunk was on the bottom with just enough room between my bunk and the top bunk for me to crawl into bed. And the way I crawled in was the way I was going to sleep. There was not even enough room for skinny me to roll over. I chose to sleep on my back. So much for my fear of tight places.

The cabin floor consisted of nothing but two-by-fours with standing water between them. That meant I had to sit on the very edge of my bunk, slide out of my hip waders, and then slide into my sleeping bag on my bunk. But as I would soon learn, I would be so bone-tired at night that I wouldn't care how or even where I slept, as long as I could get some sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee that was so strong you could have used it to paint your house.

I had to sleep with my clothes on, so I pushed myself out of my bunk and into my hip waders. There was no taking a bath or shower. I quickly grabbed whatever I could to eat on the run, went up on deck, and went right to work.

As I mentioned earlier, most purse seiners have a mast and power winch to pull in the net, but I was on a much smaller boat, and we had to do everything manually.

First, the skipper and his first mate would look for salmon jumping in the water. That meant there was a school of salmon below the surface. Then the first mate would hop into his boat, known as a skiff, and pull one end of the net around the school of salmon. He would literally circle the fish and end up back at the skipper's boat.

Then we started hauling in the net and our catch.

Early on my first morning at sea, I saw a large case of cotton work gloves sitting open on the top of the cabin. I asked the skipper, “Why so many gloves?” His answer was “You'll find out.”

When the net is circled around the salmon, the bottom of the net has what's known as the “lead line.” As the net went out of the skipper's boat and into the water, I had to guide the lead line through my gloved hands while the line flew across my palms at a very high rate of speed and into the water.

If I held the lead line too tight, it would snag on my gloves and pull my skinny frame overboard. And while the lead line was going out across the palm of my hands, the friction began tearing my gloves apart. After we put out the net, I had to quickly get a new set of gloves. Now I knew why we had an open case of cotton work gloves on the boat.

My next job was the “plunger pole.”

On board was a round, wooden pole about 9 feet long with a metal cup like a toilet bowl plunger on one end. I was to stand against a thin bit of ship railing and, using the plunger pole, push air bubbles where the two ends of the net came together. The metal cup would fill with air above the surface. And as I pushed the long pole into the water, it would send air bubbles down into the water, keeping the salmon away from the opening and from swimming out of the net.

The skipper told me to plunge as fast as I could. “Set the water on fire,” said the skipper. “Push the plunger pole down into the water as far as you can, then pull it up fast until the metal cup can fill with air, then slam it right back down again and again and again.”

There were two rules for this job. Don't let go of the plunger pole, and try not to fall overboard.

During our first “set” of the day, when we were pulling in the net, the skipper told me to get to work with the plunger pole. I quickly grabbed the pole and started plunging as fast as I could. Moments later, the skipper shouted, “Pull in the lead line.” So, I put down the pole and started pulling the lead line. But after I started working the lead line, the skipper barked, “Get on that plunger pole!” So again, I dropped the lead line and got to work with the plunger pole. He did this several more times.

Then the Skipper yelled, “What are you doing? I told you to pull in the lead line!” Frustrated, I swung around to look at the skipper. When I did, the plunger pole slipped out of my hand, and the end of the wooden pole struck him on the side of his head. Suddenly, I watched in terror as the skipper's body shook in anger. He looked up at me with furious eyes and yelled, “What?” At that moment, I shot back with, “What do you want me to do? Man the plunger pole or the lead line?” The skipper stood there still shaking for an angry moment and loudly growled, “Both!”

I quickly got to work doing both. I would pull up the lead line, then step on it with one foot while I worked the plunger pole. It was clumsy and challenging to do both. And as I worked as fast as I could, I reminded myself that I was on a small fishing boat in the ocean, a long way from home. The water was deep and cold. I wondered what would happen if the skipper got really mad at me. It wasn't like I could walk back home.

By the end of my first day, I knew what being tired to the bone felt like.

I don't even remember eating any dinner; I just remember how great it felt to slide into my bunk, wet socks and all.

After being out at sea for only a short time, I learned two things.

First, my skipper was all business, and under pressure he was ready to fight… even me. Second, I knew that this, my first job on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska, would be my last.

Both of my main jobs on the boat were dangerous.

While letting out the lead line, the friction was so great the line would zip right through my cotton work gloves. And, if my gloves got snagged by the line, I would be pulled overboard and underwater quickly. To man the plunger pole, I had to stand next to a small bit of side railing and try not to fall overboard as the boat bounced up and down.

At the end of each day, we would put into a bay where the “tender scow” boat was waiting for us to unload our day's catch into their holding tanks.

We would come up alongside the tender scow, tie off our boat, and then “toss” our salmon into the waiting holding tanks.

This was done by using a 6-foot-long wooden pole with a small metal crook on one end. You would slide the crook through the salmon's gills, lift the pole and the salmon up, and then toss the salmon up and over into the holding tanks.

As you did, the man on the deck of the tender scow would click a metal counter. If you tossed one salmon, it was one click. If you tossed two at a time, it was two clicks.

The first time the skipper sent me down to flip the salmon into the tender scow, I was not very good. But in time, I not only improved, I became the best by almost always pitching three salmon at a time. And I was very fast.

But because I was so fast, the man on the tender scow would sometimes get confused. I would toss over three salmon time and time again. Three clicks, three clicks, three clicks. Then I would miss and only toss two salmon, but I would still hear three clicks. And since each click was worth money, the skipper loved it. So because of my newfound talent, instead of getting to rest while we were at the tender scow, the skipper kept me flipping up salmon until I was exhausted. He'd let me rest a few, then he'd send me right back to flip more fish.

One day as we cruised, looking for salmon, the skipper saw a large school of fish and told us to set the net. But we ended up getting our net snagged on a reef.

Even though it was the skipper's fault, he flew into a rage.

And since I happened to be standing in front of him, he reached out with his left hand and grabbed me by the front of my shirt, jerking me closer to him as he pulled back his right fist to punch me in the face.

I quickly pulled my right fist back to defend myself. There I was, out to sea with nowhere to go and about to get pounded by my furious skipper.

We stood there for a moment, eyeball to eyeball, with our fists ready to start pounding on each other. Suddenly, the skipper shoved me backward, and he walked away.

A week later, when I was back home for a few days, my dad told me that he had just seen my skipper. It seemed that my skipper had mentioned to my dad that he and I had nearly gone to blows on the fishing boat.

As it turned out, the skipper informed my dad that because I was in great shape, he wasn't sure he could win the fight. For the record, my dad was happy that I defended myself. So was I.

Some days later, we were back out at sea and pulling in our net after a catch. It was raining, cold, and miserable. Suddenly, my face felt like it was on fire.

When you're commercial fishing, you get all kinds of things caught in the net. And without knowing it, I had gotten jellyfish on my cotton gloves. Then when I had wiped the rain off my face, I had smeared jellyfish on my kisser. Talk about pain.

The skipper's only reaction was to say, “Keep working.”

Later that evening, the skipper told me to go below and start peeling spuds for dinner. I went below and grabbed the potatoes and a knife.

The next thing I knew, the skipper was standing right in front of me, laughing and waving his hand up and down in front of my eyes. I had been so exhausted from the day's work that I had fallen asleep with my eyes open and with my knife halfway through a potato peel. Now that's bone-tired.

When our commercial fishing season ended, I was glad. But I also knew that I had learned a lot and even grown up some. I was just 16, but I had spent the season working my tail off on a dangerous Alaska commercial fishing boat and survived to tell this story.

Plenty of people tell me they would like to go commercial fishing in Alaska for a season. To that I say, do it. But make sure you're ready to work harder than you've ever worked in your life.

And remember this…

“I left port. Port is left, and starboard is right.”

Oh, and try not to fall overboard.

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From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Anchorage Fishing Memories edition of the Anchorage Memories Club.

Cindy had this comment:

“Misty Sunday morning, fresh cup of coffee, and some great fish tales- it doesn’t get much better than this! Thanks Mike and Mary.”

Steve remembers:

“I lived along Campbell Creek just west of Lake Otis Pkwy from 1978 to 1980. The salmon would still spawn in the creek in those days. My dog, Haida, would romp in the creek.

During the salmon run, the fish swam between her legs she would stick her face under the water to check them out. Then there would be five minutes of her snorting to get the water out of her nose. Another salmon would swim by and the process was repeated.”

Contact Mike and Mary

Did you enjoy this Alaska Commercial Fishing Adventure?

Time to dock our boat and head for shore.

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Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

In the photo above is Whittier, Alaska, in 2006.

Mike of Alaska Stories has this memory:

“In the mid-1960s, my brother Tom and I rode the train from Anchorage to Whittier.

We had never been there before, and our imaginations didn’t prepare us for what we would experience.

Our train chugged along in the two-mile-long tunnel cut through a mountain. As we reached the Whittier end of the tunnel, sunlight bathed our train car. And much to our surprise, there it was.

On the right side of the train was a tiny city made up of multi-story, gray concrete buildings reaching skyward in the shadow of a mountain. It looked as if it had, at one time, been a movie set for an episode of the classic “Twilight Zone” TV series.”

Note:

The buildings we saw were left over from an abandoned Army post.

Where is this Place Called Whittier, Alaska?

You’ll find it by driving your vehicle or taking the Alaska Railroad about 60 miles southeast from Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway, bordered by Cook Inlet. Your journey to Whittier will include a two-mile trip through a mountain tunnel.

Whittier History

For centuries, the area around Whittier was part of a passage used by the Chugach people between Prince William Sound and Turnagain Arm in Cook Inlet.

Both Russian and American explorers also used the passage, as did gold prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Named after a Glacier that was Named after a Poet

In 1915, a nearby glacier (Whittier Glacier, pictured above) was named for the American Poet John Greenleaf Whittier.

Later, the new town was named Whittier.

The World War II Connection

During World War II, an Army post and railroad facility were constructed near the glacier. It was given the name Camp Sullivan.

Yes, You Can Share this Edition

Imagine how amazed your friends and family will be when you share this edition of the Alaska Stories with them. They will be so happy that they will name a town after you… well, it could happen.

For a While, They Were the biggest buildings in Alaska

In the photo above is the Buckner Building.

Completed in 1953, the Buckner Building once housed all of Whittier.

When the Buckner and Hodge buildings were built, they were the tallest buildings in Alaska.

The ALCAN Highway Connection

In the photo above is the 14-story Hodge Building, later renamed Begich Tower.

Completed in 1957, the Hodge Building was named after Colonel Walter William Hodge, who was the commanding officer of the 93rd Engineer Regiment for the construction of the Alaska Highway, also known as the ALCAN Highway.

Later converted into condominiums and renamed Begich Towers, in honor of Alaska political figure Nick Begich, this location is now home to most of Whittier.

Nick Begich

Pictured above is Nick Begich, an Alaska political figure.

March 27, 1964

On the afternoon of Good Friday, March 27, 1964, Alaska was struck by a 9.2 quake that shook for 5 minutes. As a result, Whittier sustained over $10 million dollars in damage.

Fact about Whittier

Did you know that Whittier, Alaska, is the wettest city in the United States?

It averages a soggy 197.8 inches of rain each year. And in the winter, Whittier receives 249 inches of snow.

And What About the Whittier Population?

Town folk number around 255 hearty souls.

Share the King Crab

In the mid-1960s, the restaurant in Whittier had a sign that read something like this.

“If you catch a crab and bring it here to share with everyone, we’ll cook it for free”

Mike of Anchorage Memories recalls the time when his brother Tom was fishing off the dock in Whittier. As he reeled in his line, he noticed there was something heavy on his hook. When it got closer to the surface, Tom was surprised to see that a king crab had grabbed hold of his line.

So Tom took his catch to the restaurant, walked in the door, held up the crab, and declared, “Fresh king crab all around.” The restaurant erupted in happy cheers.

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BONUS

Do you want to know more?

Take a look at Whittier, Alaska, and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Anchorage Memories Club edition, “Anchorage Airport Memories.”

Anne Wilbur remembers:

“Yes, I flew out of Merrill Field, Lake Hood, and International Airport (in Anchorage). Joe Wilbur and I owned Wilbur’s Flight Operations, Alaska Piper, and Flight Safety Alaska from 1960 until they were sold in 1995 and we retired to Girdwood, Alaska. I also flew out of the Girdwood Airport occasionally until 2010. 50 years.”

Mark added these facts:

“The strip was cleared by Anchorage townsfolk in May of 1923 with the hope of seeing airplanes land there one day. (They had to wait an entire year.)

The only airplane to be seen on that airstrip in 1924 was Noel Wien's J-1 Standard when he and his mechanic, Bill Younkers, were on their way to Fairbanks, and that was only in June and early July.

Wien and Younkers took off for Fairbanks on July 7. It was a miraculous flight, considering they didn't know where Fairbanks was; they only had one shot to get it right. And they only did it by following the gleaming rails of the Alaska Railroad, completed just one year earlier.”

Edi has this memory:

“When we swam in Anchorage’s Lake Spenard as teenagers. We used to "float" on the little waves created by planes taking off and landing with pontoons in the water of the canal from Lake Hood.

You can Read the whole Story

Take a look at Anchorage Airport Memories and enjoy.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Yes, the unique and picturesque town of Whittier, Alaska, is definitely a great place to visit.

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Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories

In 1786, British trader Nathaniel Portlock first discovered coal in Alaska at a location named Coal Cove. That area is now Port Graham on the Kenai Peninsula.

The subject of the oil painting above is Captain Nathaniel Portlock.

In 1855, the first commercial coal mine in Alaska was opened by the Russian-American Company near Port Graham.

Around the 1900s

The U.S. Government, and as a result, some financiers, became interested in the Matanuska coal fields.

High-Quality Coal to Fuel U.S. Battleships

Because of the rich, high-quality coal deposits in the Matanuska fields, the Alaska Rail system was developed.

In 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and the U.S. Congress passed the Alaska Railroad Act, authorizing construction of the Alaska Railroad to pass through the Matanuska, Little Susitna, Broad Pass, and Nenana coal fields.

Coal was needed for U.S. battleships and for the Alaska Railroad.

In 1916, the first load of coal arrived in Anchorage

From its tent city days and up through the early years of Anchorage, coal was a major source for heating.

Yes, You Can Share this Edition

Your friends and family will love this history-packed edition of the Anchorage Memories Club.

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will name an Alaskan mountain after you… well, it could happen.

Enter Evan Jones

Pictured above are Bronwen and Evan Jones at their 1932 Anchorage home.

In 1917, Evan Jones arrived in Anchorage. He then became the superintendent of the Doherty coal mine on Moose Creek. Later, Jones was superintendent of the Eska and Chickaloon coal mines, owned by the Alaska Railroad.

In 1920, Jones teamed up with Anchorage pioneers Z.J. Loussac, Oscar Anderson, a hotel operator named Mr. Collins, a dentist named Mr. Blyth and Dr. Boyle.

The group leased 2,240 acres on the slope of Wishbone Hill off the banks of the Matanuska River, just north of Palmer, Alaska.

Jonesville, Alaska

To accommodate the workers and their families, the tiny community of Jonesville was established. The town included houses, a school, and a hospital.

At one time, the Evan Jones mine was the largest coal mine in Alaska. It was also a major supplier of coal for Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad.

The Evan Jones Coal Mine Fire

In November 1922, then Anchorage Fire Chief J.W. Greene and Thomas Bevers were sent to fight a fire that had broken out in the Evan Jones Coal Mine.

Greene and Bevers took Anchorage’s brand-new La France pumping truck to the fire.

On site, they began pumping water from a nearby lake. They sprayed as much as 1,200 gallons of water per minute into the coal mine.

The two ran the pumper for three hundred hours with only one break for maintenance. When it was over, Greene and Bevers had a world record for continuous pumping. The fire was extinguished, and the mine was reopened.

5.5 Million Metric Tons

The Evan Jones Coal Mine produced around 5.5 million metric tons of high-quality coal from 1920 into the 1960s.

The mine supplied coal to Anchorage, neighboring Fort Richardson Army Base and Elmendorf Air Force Base.

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BONUS

Would you like to know more about Evan Jones and the Alaska Coal Mines?

Take a look at the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame and discover.

BONUS

Do you remember the 1966 musical hit by Lee Dorsey, “Workin in a Coal Mine”?

Click on the following link and enjoy the memory.

Did You Know?

Palmer was just 40 miles south of the Evan Jones coal mine.

But did you know that on July 6, 1917, when the Palmer Post Office was first opened, it wasn’t called Palmer, Alaska.

At that time, the small community was called “Warten”, Alaska.

From Our North Stars (thats you)

From the Old Alaska Highway Story

Charles remembers traveling the Alaska Highway:

“After living in the western Pacific on Saipan for five years, we returned stateside in 1966 with a stop in Denver to visit relatives. My dad bought a brand new Rambler Ambassador, and we headed for Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Alaska Canadian Highway (ALCAN) was mostly gravel back then with plenty of dust and mud. It tore our new car up pretty badly but we made it. It was an experience I'll never forget.

I've driven the highway by myself four times since then. Compared to our trip in 1966, the highway today is a piece of cake. I would recommend the drive to anyone who has some time to spare and is looking for an adventure.”

BONUS

Take a look at the Old Alaska Highway Story and discover.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Have you ever filled up a bucket from a coal bin?

Mike’s family spent time on a farm near Wasilla, Alaska, and it was young Mike’s job to fetch coal for a stove.

Did you enjoy this edition of Alaska Stories?

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You can also reply to this email. Or you can Contact Us right here to say, “I’ve been workin in a coal mine, goin on down, down.” Remember that song?

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories