Anchorage Double Memories

The Ship Creek Meat Market and Woolworth's

You can see the Ship Creek Meat Market in the middle of the picture.

Oscar Anderson made his way from Seattle to Seward, Alaska, then onto Ship Creek in 1915 and what would become Anchorage.

Anderson said he was the 8th person to set foot in the rugged tent city that was located on the north shore of Ship Creek.

His first job was cutting wood in an area that would later become known as Government Hill.

In the weeks that followed, Anderson teamed up with a man named Jensen. The two decided to put together a cold storage business. That operation became a meat packing company, serving the entire Cook Inlet region.

Later, Anderson headed for Seattle to purchase equipment for a cold storage plant and what would become the Ship Creek Meat Company.

After purchasing a lot on 4th Avenue in Anchorage, where Stewart’s Photo is now located, he opened the Ship Creek Meat Market.

Live Cattle were then shipped from Seattle and kept in corrals in Anchorage.

The Ship Creek Meat Market became the largest fresh meat supplier in Alaska. The business closed in the 1950s.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on an adventurous tour of Alaska in a dog sled… well, it could happen…Mush!

Woolworth’s in Downtown Anchorage

Photo by Ward Wells, June 27, 1961

Oh, the memories.

Located on the south side of 4th Avenue and F Street, Woolworth’s was an Anchorage favorite.

Remember the lunch counter, known as the Frontier Room? Mike of Anchorage Memories remembers when his mom, Louise Dougherty, worked there.

And Mary remembers going into Woolworth’s to buy a large (about two feet long) bag of popcorn and some candy to take with her to see a movie at the 4th Avenue Theatre. And back in those days, the 4th Avenue Theatre was nice enough to let you do that if you asked nicely.

The Woolworth Grand Opening

From Mary of Anchorage Memories:

“As I walked into Woolworth's for the first time, I saw the café on the left, makeup, and school supplies in the middle and my favorite aisle… the toy section.

Woolworth's was just a few doors down from the 4th Ave Theater, and that made it a happening place to go.

My entire family went to Woolworth's Grand Opening in Anchorage when I was in grade school.”

BONUS

Enjoy Mary’s Woolworth’s grand opening adventure.

Take a look at Mary’s story, “Woolworth’s Grand Opening” and remember.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Alaska Flag story.

Eric recalls:

“The best Flag and the best State Song in the Union. As a child in school, we would sing it every morning. I still sing it for friends.”

Jerry’s Daughter sang at the World Fair in Seattle:

“At the World's Fair in Seattle in 1962, the Alaska exhibit was well attended. The announcer was describing the Alaska flag and the Alaska song that went along with it. Then asked if anyone knew the Alaska song? My two very young daughters, ten and eleven, sang it alone for the entire crowd. They received loud applause.”

Jerry Knew Benny Benson:

“Benny was a great friend of mine and many others in Kodiak. He was an outstanding Elk of the Kodiak Lodge, 1772. I have an Alaska flag signed by Benny.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

This double memories edition really brought back some great memories.

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Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

The Anchorage Memories Club