Memories of Anchorage
fill your heart - feed your soul
Circa 1950s, Anchorage looking east toward the Chugach mountains.
What comes to mind when you think about the Anchorage you remember?
In this edition of your Anchorage Memories Club, you’ll enjoy random memories that may bring back a fond memory or two of your time in Anchorage.
Did You Know?
You have driven under the “Anchorage All-America City” sign on 4th Avenue many, many times. But do you know what it means? Or why Anchorage received this honor?
In 1956, the National Municipal League and Look Magazine named Anchorage an All-American City for the way Anchorage handled its skyrocketing population that threatened to swamp city facilities. And for pushing for much-needed city improvements.
Anchorage was named an All-American City in 1956, 1965, 1985 and 2002.
Yes, You Can Share This Edition
You can easily share this Anchorage Memories Club with your friends or family.
And when you do, they will be so happy that they will send you on a world cruise… Or an all expense paid trip to Knik… Or, would you believe a picture of an Eskimo Yo Yo?
Just click on the link below, and you’ll be a hero.
How Mountain View Began
Anchorage’s community of Mountain View began in the 1940s.
Elmendorf Air Force Base was being constructed and workers had no place to stay. So, Mountain View was established to provide housing for those workers.
BONUS
Take a look at the History of Mountain View and enjoy.
Do You Recognize This Boxer?
He owned the Captain Cook hotel on 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage, Governor of the state of Alaska and Secretary of the Interior under President Nixon…
Yes, Walter J. Hickel was also a boxer.
BONUS
Take a look at this Biography of Walter J Hickel and discover.
The Fur Rendezvous Blanket Toss
Did you or someone you know ever try this?
The first Fur Rendezvous Blanket Toss actually took place in 1950. Native Alaskans were flown in to Anchorage from Nome and Little Diomede Islands to create the event, which included a showcase of tribal dances.
Notice where this is on 4th Avenue? See the National Bank sign in the upper left. Are you or is someone you know in the picture above?
BONUS
Take a look at the History of the Fur Rendezvous and enjoy.
Questions Alaskans Get Asked
Even today in 2021, when someone finds out that you live in Alaska, or used to live there… we still get asked these questions.
Do you live in igloos?
Is Alaska a state?
Have you seen the Northern Lights?
What currency do they use in Alaska?
Is it dark all the time?
Is it light all the time?
Do you drive cars or use dog sleds?
You probably don’t use Natural Gas in Alaska because it would freeze.
What questions have you been asked that aren’t on this list?
Where Was This?
On March 19, 1961, Anchorage photographer Ward W. Wells took this picture of Anchorage citizens “riding” the escalator in Caribou Wards Department Store.
Did you ride this escalator?
Summer at an Anchorage Drive-In
More daylight in the summer meant that when they started the movie at the drive-in, it was challenging to see what was on the screen.
Anchorage was home to not one but two drive-in theaters. The Sundowner Drive-In (pictured above). The Sundowner opened in 1969 behind the Fireweed Theater.
The Billiken Drive-In was located at 3101 Muldoon Road. It opened on January 9, 1963. And because it opened in the winter, you could easily see the movie on the screen.
The Beatles in Anchorage
The Beatles made an unscheduled stop in Anchorage on June 27, 1966, and for a brief time, stayed at the Anchorage Westward hotel (pictured above).
Around 500 Anchorage teens gathered outside the hotel to try and catch a glimpse of the fab four.
Mike of Anchorage Memories had just started working at KTVA channel 11 and was asked to take some microphone cable to an announcer who was at the Westward, covering the event. As Mike approached the front door to the hotel, the teen mob started hollering at Mike to help them get inside the hotel… Mike delivered the microphone cable and quickly left the building.
Were you there?
BONUS
In that crowd of 500 teens was Mike’s future wife, Mary of Anchorage Memories.
So many memories… so little time.
Here we are at the end of another look back at fond memories of a place called Anchorage. Did you recall a memory or two? Tell us about your memories. We’d love to hear from you.
And it’s so easy to contact Mike and Mary. You can reply to this email. Or, if you’d like to hear back from us, just use this Contact Us link right now.
Until Next Time
Mike & Mary
Anchorage Memories Club
I worked for the FAA and I received a call from someone in the lower 48 who said we had to fill out paperwork because Alaska is a foreign country doing business with the United States. I was speechless for a moment and then asked “you do know that Alaska is part of the United States right?” I heard the caller talking with someone else and said to me “Uh, okay. Goodbye.”
So proud of Anchorage-All America City during those years!