He Created Anchorage, Alaska
He laid out the town, and sold the first lots.
In the photo above, Andrew Christensen holds the town lots auction
Anchorage was a Company Town
Yes, it was the Alaska Engineering Commission (AEC) that created Anchorage as they built the Alaska Railroad. Everyone who came to the mouth of Ship Creek in 1915, came to either work for the railroad or to provide services or goods to the workers.
Among the Alaska Engineering Commission managers who came to the area in 1915 was a man named Andrew Christensen.
About 3,000 People Attend the Land Auction
Christensen had laid out the first streets and lots for the new town.
4th Avenue was set up as the core for business activity.
A lot at 4th and C (where Big Ray’s Army/Navy Surplus is now) sold for 825 dollars.
The 5th and C lot sold for 575 dollars.
The 4th and D lot sold for 700 dollars.
The above bids were considered high in 1915 and surprised the Alaska Engineering Commission.
Altogether, 655 lots were sold for a total of 150,000 dollars.
At the time of the auction, the town’s population was 4,500.
Restrictions on the Lots
The Alaska Engineering Commission had strict rules about what was and what was not acceptable in this new town.
The restrictions on the lots included:
No manufacturing, selling or otherwise dispensing intoxicating liquors.
No gambling or other “vices”.
If a property was used for any of the above, the penalty was forfeiture of the lot.
The Bootlegger Problem
Andrew Christiansen was also responsible for keeping out bootleggers.
He apparently had some success because people like Russian Jack and the Phantom Swede had to come up with new ways to supply their wares to the thirsty crowd at Ship Creek.
The answer? They began delivering their “squirrel Juice” in what is now known as Bootlegger’s Cove because it was hidden from the authorities.
Yes, You Can Share This Edition
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Anchorage’s Unofficial Advisor
In late 1916, Christensen was Anchorage’s unofficial advisor, and he administered the new Anchorage school system.
Christensen Road
In the photo above is Christensen Road
The road curves from the railroad yards to Ship Creek and to downtown Anchorage.
The Government built houses along Christensen Road formed an area that became known as “Snob Hill”.
BONUS
Want to know more about Andrew Christensen?
Take a look at this Andrew Christensen Biography right now.
From Our North Stars (that’s you)
Michael had this to say:
“Hi Mike and Mary. Enjoy your stories so much. Keep up the good work!”
And from our look at Varsity Show Memories
Diana has this memory:
“Thank you and YES, I was on the Varsity Show with Catholic Jr/Sr High School. Great to go back in time. Appreciate your sharing the memories.”
Connect with Mike and Mary
Did you know that Anchorage was a company town?
A big thank you to Andrew Christensen for putting our town together way back in 1915.
Well, we missed that lot auction in 1915. Just think, for only $825 dollars, we could have owned a lot on 4th Avenue… Of course, in today’s dollars that would be… a lot of money.
Did you know that it’s so easy to Contact Mike and Mary? That’s right, and we love hearing from our North Stars… Do you have a comment, or just want to say, “Hey”?
Just reply to this email, or you can Contact Us right now.
Until Next Time
Mike and Mary
Anchorage Memories Club
Great history of Anchorage...Thanks again!