Anchorage, Alaska Firsts
How much do you know?
The year was 1915 and the first newspaper serving tent city was called the Cook Inlet Pioneer.
Some years later, the Cook Inlet Pioneer became the Anchorage Daily Times.
BONUS
See a picture of the first Cook Inlet Pioneer “office” in Tent City and enjoy.
Pioneer School House
Also in 1915
Jane Mears organized the Anchorage Women’s Club to establish a school for the children of the tent city railroad workers.
The Anchorage Pioneer School House is located at 437, 3rd Avenue in Anchorage.
BONUS
You can learn more about the Anchorage Pioneer School House and discover.
Yes, You Can Share This Edition
You can easily share this edition of the Anchorage Memories Club with friends and family.
And when you do, they will be so happy that they will send you a year’s supply of your favorite cookies… well, it could happen.
Anchorage’s First Hockey Team
The Year was 1935
The outdoor rink's advertisers included The Frisco Cafe, Elkmann's Furniture and Piggly Wiggly Market.
Both Elkmanns and Piggly Wiggly were located in the Anchorage Commercial building at 4th avenue and H street.
Arctic Valley
It Began in 1941
Arctic Valley is now the oldest ski club in Southcentral Alaska.
The U.S. Army created the area in 1941.
The Anchorage Ski Club created the civilian side, “Alpenglow” at a later date and Alpenglow was later renamed Arctic Valley.
Have you ever skied there?
BONUS
The following website has lots of great vintage photos.
Take a look at this fascinating Alaska Lost Ski Areas Project and enjoy.
Anchorage Pioneer Lorene Harrison
Many of our Northern Stars (members of Anchorage Memories Club), know Lorene Harrison as the owner of The Hat Box, a downtown Anchorage store. Mary of Anchorage Memories purchased her wedding dress there.
But this lady was involved in so much more.
From 1954 to 1958, Lorene hosted a local women’s TV show (before Theda Comstock) on KFIA – TV channel 2, which later became KENI-TV, now KTUU.
BONUS
Take a look at Anchorage Pioneer Lorene Harrison and discover.
It was the First Movie Shown Here
The Year Was 1947
Imagine being there as the curtains parted for the first time.
The very first movie to grace the screen at Anchorage’s beautiful 4th Avenue Theatre was…
What was the first movie you saw at the 4th Avenue Theatre?
From Our North Stars (that’s you)
Jody sent us this following our look at Anchorage Pioneer Nellie Brown.
“What an interesting story about Nellie Brown and Club 25!
My father, Joe Hart, was a liquor distributor in the 1950s and I remember Myrtle Stalnaker as the owner. I remember her, she was an elderly woman (probably in her 50s but that was old to me as a kid).
I really enjoy your writings about the early days of Anchorage.
Keep up the great work.”
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Until Next Time
Mike and Mary
Anchorage Memories.com