This is Some Pioneering History of Anchorage, Alaska

Do you enjoy discovering interesting facts about Anchorage? You'll love this edition of the Anchorage Memories Club.

First, Hans and Gerry Kirschner tried farming their Spenard property on McRae road… but they were not successful.

Then, in 1951, they opened the Garden of Eatin’ and the rest is Anchorage history.

It wasn’t much to look at. It was just an old Quonset Hut. But the food they served quickly became the talk of the town. And the Garden of Eatin’ was the place to go.

Snow White Laundry and Cleaners

In 1916, Yusuke “Harry” Kimura and his wife, Katsuyo, arrived at the tent city on Ship Creek that would become Anchorage.

They took over a hand laundry business and changed the name to “H and K Hand Laundry”. There was no running water. Later, the Kimura’s opened their Snow White Laundry and Cleaners business.

A Tent Business in Tent City

In 1915, with most of the Railroad workers and others, living in tents, Ulysses Grant “UG” Crocker, decided to open a business that made and repaired tents. It was a perfect match.

In addition, they also made and repaired awnings and sleeping bags.

In the 1915 photo above is the Crocker’s first wood-frame store.

Not long after arriving in tent city, Crocker opened their first store on 4th Avenue between H and I streets. When they first opened for business, they specialized in making mattresses.

On 4th Avenue

In the 1929 photo above, notice the hanging sign over 4th Avenue.

The sign reads “Empress”, for the Empress movie theatre on the left side of the street facing west.

*This puts the U.G. Crocker store on the North west side of 4th and G streets.

Yes, You can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they send you a year’s supply of your favorite ice cream… well, it could happen.

The First Church in Anchorage

The first church in Anchorage was established in 1915.

It would become Holy Family Cathedral at 800 5th Avenue.

The First Police Car in Anchorage

It wasn’t much, but it was better than walking.

In 1935, the Anchorage Police Department was still on foot. Occasionally, they borrowed citizen’s cars and even took taxis to fight crime.

In the 1940s, the department purchased their first patrol car, a used Ford, for $63.75.

First Telephone Exchange

Henry Emard brought the first telephone exchange to what would become Anchorage, in 1914. It was first used by the Alaska Railroad Commission.

First Public Library

In 1922, Bolte’s Hardware store offered free space for the Anchorage Public Library.

While the Anchorage Memories Club does not know where Bolte’s was located, it is likely that it was on 4th Avenue.

First Outside Performing Artist

In October 1938, Lorene Harrison, (the Hat Box), and the Presbyterian Church Choir, brought the first artist from outside of Alaska, to the town of Anchorage to perform.

The artist was Soprano singer Margaret Bowen.

BONUS

You can learn more about Lorene Harrison right here

Anchorage’s First Neighborhood

Government Hill, 1917

Earlier Pioneers

A man named Thomas Jeter built a cabin on a lake that became known as Jeter Lake (now Spenard Lake). But Jeter was in an area that was not approved for homesteading and had to leave.

In around 1911 or 1912, it is thought that Jeter may have moved from his Jeter Lake cabin and built a new one on what is now Government Hill.

In 1915, as the grid for downtown Anchorage was being laid out and the first lots were being auctioned off, Anchorage’s first neighborhood, Government Hill, was being built while railroad workers were still living in tents along Ship Creek.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

Tom sent us this memory:

“I love the Anchorage Memories Club, and remembering the good times in Anchorage in the 1970s when I was a teen. Your story about Stewart's Photo rekindled memories of spending a lot of time in that store. During the Fur Rondy dog races, we'd stop in to buy more film (we took plenty of photos back then!), warm up, look at some jade, and dream about buying fancier cameras. Thanks for doing what you do to remind us of Anchorage history.”

Charles had this comment:

“I was a Stewart's Photo employee in periods of the 60s, 70s and 80s. You didn't mention their jade mine in Northwest Alaska. They sold jade from the store until Oro's passing.”

Don and Maurine remember the Fur Rendezvous:

“Thanks Mike and Mary for refreshing our Rondy memories. Yes, I marched and played trombone in the West High band, and the brass got pretty cold.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

Did you enjoy reading this edition of your Anchorage Memories Club? We did.

It’s always interesting when you discover something new about Anchorage.

Do you have a comment? You can reach us by replying to this email. Or you can Contact Us to say, “I remember using Snow White Laundry and Cleaners.”

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories Club