Bert's Drug Store

Meet “Osky” and Henrietta Weeda. Their story takes us to Anchorage and Palmer, Alaska.

In the photo above are Luther Johan “L.J.” or “Osky” and Henrietta “Hank” Marsden.

The picture was taken shortly after the two had first met. The location was likely a camera club outing at Eklutna Lake just north of Anchorage, Alaska.

Our Story Begins

Luther Johan Weeda, known to his friends as “L.J.” or “Osky” first arrived in Anchorage, Alaska in 1929. His first job was cooking for the Alaska Railroad.

But his brother Bert was also in town and had Bert’s Drug Store located at 4th and G Street. “Osky” later decided to work for him.

After a while, Osky left to attend pharmacy school at the University of Denver. Diploma in hand, he returned to Anchorage and continued working with his brother.

In the 1934 photo above is the picture window of Bert’s Drug Store on 4th Avenue and G Street.

Note:

During the 1934 baseball World Series, Bert’s Drug Store posted information (pictured above) about the games in the storefront window.

By the way, the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals played in that year’s World Series… The Cardinals won.

Did You Know?

You can share this Anchorage Pioneers edition, which is part of the Anchorage Memories Club.

And when you share this, your friends and family will be so happy that they will buy you… your dream cell phone and pay all your cell phone expenses for 5 years… well, it could happen.

The Palmer Connection

In the 1935 photo above, Palmer, Alaska also got its start as a “Tent City”, much like Anchorage did in 1916.

The Matanuska Colony was one of around 100 resettlement communities started by the U.S. government. It was part of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal”. It gave displaced Midwestern farmers a new start in Alaska, following the Great Depression.

200 families arrived in the Matanuska Valley, about 42 miles north of Anchorage. They came from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan to build farms in this new land.

BONUS

Want to know more?

Take a look at The Matanuska Valley Colony and discover.

A Drug Store for the Matanuska Valley

Osky traveled on the Alaska Railroad to the Matanuska Valley on selling trips.

Along the way, he and his brother Bert decided there was a need for a drug store in the new colony.

In the 1935 picture above is the Palmer, Alaska Bert’s Drug Store.

The photo above was taken by Henrietta “Hank” Marsden who wrote a note on the picture that reads as follows:

“That wasn’t Osky in the front”

Arriving in the tent city that would become Palmer, Osky lived in a tent while he and Bert built the store pictured above.

In April 1936, Osky married Henrietta. They first lived in Osky’s tent, then moved into a three-room apartment connected to the store.

The Reliance Grocery Company

In 1937 Osky and Henrietta were back in Anchorage and Osky went to work for the Reliance Grocery Store Company. Henrietta worked as a clerk for Vaara’s Variety Store on 4th Avenue.

By 1942, Osky was the warehouse manager and salesman for the grocery company.

A Home in Anchorage

The Weeda’s bought a home on 10th Avenue. The area was known as the “Army Addition” because most of the homes had first been used by military officers and their families. Following the Aleutian campaign of World War II, those officers had been transferred to the lower forty-eight (the states).

Note:

During World War II, Henrietta had worked as an American Red Cross nurse’s aide at the original Providence Hospital at 9th and L Street.

After World War II

Osky put together his own business that he called Sales, Inc.

Some time later, he renamed it the Osky Supply Company. He had a warehouse on Post Road in Anchorage and sold hotel and restaurant equipment.

He remained in business for over 30 years.

Note:

Osky was a member of the Downtown Lions Club and became involved in a fund-raising campaign for the first ambulance in Anchorage, called the “Little Red Wagon.”

Note:

Do you remember the Little Red Wagon ambulance?

Before Anchorage had an ambulance, people with a medical emergency would honk the horn of their car as they drove to Providence Hospital. Everyone on the road would let them drive by. At intersections, cars honking their horns to get through in an emergency were given the right of way.

Henrietta “Hank” Weeda

Both Osky and Henrietta were very active in the Anchorage community.

Henrietta attended the First Presbyterian Church. She was so active in the community that she was listed in the Who’s Who in American Women and Women of the West.

BONUS

You can learn more.

Take a look at Osky and Henrietta Weeda and discover.

Anchorage Pioneers

As we continue featuring the people who built Anchorage, Alaska, you can easily see how the people who first came to help build a railroad or forge a new town, were a different breed.

They worked hard and under very difficult and often primitive conditions to make a go of it… We owe them a lot.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Alaska Facts and History look at Girdwood.

“M&M, ( my new nickname for you two, because you are such a treat) In a word, Fascinating! I would have guessed it was another name for Portage. Thanks for the always entertaining Sunday morning read.”

Cindy

“Isn't the name “Crow Mountain Creek”?  I worked for Mike Gordon at the Girdwood Chilkoots and was corrected several times about the location and also Terry Renolds old man bought the Mine there and told me the same.  History questions.  Thank you.”

Lew

“Again… Thanks for these tidbits of Anchorage area histories. Yes, I had heard of Glacier City and knew it was Girdwood later in its life. I even remember Girdwood BEFORE the Ghost Forest came into being during the longest 4.5 minutes or so of my life. One piece of history that I can't seem to come across is the Indian/Bird Creek histories. Especially the connection over/through Chugach Range to Eagle River. Any ideas?”

Randall

“Great story...Thanks for sharing.”

Michael and Mary (not the authors of Anchorage Memories)

“I remember in the early winter of 1959. My self and several other members of the AHS ski team as well as Gary King and Gene Cox were invited to Girdwood to Ski Alyeska via helicopter.

We were transported to the upper area and had the opportunity to ski the slopes. Part of the group was Max Marolt a USA Olympic ski team member. Max challenged the Helicopter pilot to race, claiming he could ski down the face of what is known as Max's Mountain. Obviously he won and therefor that's the name of that mountain.”

Denny

Get in Touch

Did you enjoy the story of Anchorage Pioneers, Osky and Henrietta Weeda?

We’d love to see your comments. Just reply to this email.

Or… you can Contact Us directly to say, “I remember the Little Red Wagon”.

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Until Next Time

Mike and Mary (M and M as Cindy calls us)

Anchorage Memories Club