History

Jirdes Winther Baxter chats with Wayne Bertholl during her 100th birthday celebration Saturday at the Juneau Yacht Club. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Jirdes Winther Baxter, last survivor of 1925 Nome serum run, celebrates 100th birthday in Juneau

Five generations of family, dozens of friends and a coalition of political leaders offer tributes.

 

A newspaper clipping showing convicted serial killer Ed Slomke, who went as Ed Krause in Alaska.

Neighbors: Death with Dessert examines Alaska’s first serial killer

Edward Slomke killed at least seven men in Southeast Alaska. He may have murdered twice that many. Along with their lives, he took their money,… Continue reading

 

Skip Gray holds a simulated conversation on an early 20th-century box phone and his cell phone during the opening of the exhibit “Switch and Exchange: A Brief History of Telephones in 20th Century Juneau” at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Friday. Gray is a former resident of the Telephone Hill neighborhood, which got its name when Juneau became the first city in Alaska with an established telephone system and a telephone company called the downtown area home during the early 1900s. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dialing, cranking and ringing into Juneau’s history as a telephone pioneer in Alaska

Museum exhibit highlights how capital got state’s first phone system and Telephone Hill got its name.

 

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 6, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Jan. 7

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 6, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Five famous men stand together on a floatplane hangar deck on Aug. 8, 1935. From left to right: Juneau Mayor Izzy Goldstein, Pilot Wiley Post, Novelist Rex Beach, Pilot Joe Crosson, and “Cowboy Philosopher” Will Rogers. (Alaska State Library Ordway photo PCA-87-2631)

Rooted in Community: Merchants Wharf, Part II — An historic moment captured in one photo in 1935

Endearing local memory with visit by Will Rogers and Wiley Post, followed by a shocking tragedy.

  • Dec 15, 2023
  • By Laurie Craig, For the Downtown Business Association
  • NewsHistory
Five famous men stand together on a floatplane hangar deck on Aug. 8, 1935. From left to right: Juneau Mayor Izzy Goldstein, Pilot Wiley Post, Novelist Rex Beach, Pilot Joe Crosson, and “Cowboy Philosopher” Will Rogers. (Alaska State Library Ordway photo PCA-87-2631)
A summer 2023 sunny day shows off sparkling water and floating docks below Merchants Wharf. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Rooted in Community: Merchants Wharf, Part I — Winging it

From $4.50 flightseeing tours in 1937 to a gathering place filled with aviation history today.

  • Dec 14, 2023
  • By Laurie Craig, For the Downtown Business Association
  • NewsHistory
A summer 2023 sunny day shows off sparkling water and floating docks below Merchants Wharf. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 14, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Dec. 17

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 14, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The 125-year-old building at the corner of Front and Seward as seen in summer of 2023. Juneau moved utilities underground and upgraded street lights in the mid-1980s and again recently. Each summer different sayings are displayed on colorful banners (“We are lucky to live here” on this banner) and flower baskets, bringing lively attention to downtown. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Rooted in Community: Lewis/First National Bank

From cash to coffee, one building’s long history.

The 125-year-old building at the corner of Front and Seward as seen in summer of 2023. Juneau moved utilities underground and upgraded street lights in the mid-1980s and again recently. Each summer different sayings are displayed on colorful banners (“We are lucky to live here” on this banner) and flower baskets, bringing lively attention to downtown. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
Only a portion of the first floor of the historic Elks Lodge at 109 S. Franklin St. remains standing amidst debris and heavy equipment on Thursday afternoon due to ongoing demolition work this week. The building’s owner has told city officials he hopes to build housing at the site, which is adjacent to where he runs a food stall business. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Historic Elks Lodge torn down, contrary to owner’s claim action was likely months away

Most of 1908 building demolished as of Thursday; owner tells city he wants to build housing.

Only a portion of the first floor of the historic Elks Lodge at 109 S. Franklin St. remains standing amidst debris and heavy equipment on Thursday afternoon due to ongoing demolition work this week. The building’s owner has told city officials he hopes to build housing at the site, which is adjacent to where he runs a food stall business. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Photographer Ed Andrews captures the celebration dedicating the completed Douglas Bridge on Oct. 13, 1935. (Alaska State Library PC01-4128)

Bridge to everywhere: Original Juneau-Douglas crossing from 1935 spanned nearly half a century

Existing bridge is already the “second crossing”; parts of original now in local home, footbridges.

Photographer Ed Andrews captures the celebration dedicating the completed Douglas Bridge on Oct. 13, 1935. (Alaska State Library PC01-4128)
Snow covers Mount Stroller White, a 5,112-foot peak beside Mendenhall Glacier, with Mount McGinnis seen to the left. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Rooted in Community: Stroller White — a man and a mountain

One of the most frequently spoken names in Juneau is Stroller White. We usually refer to the tall mountain that flanks the western side of… Continue reading

Snow covers Mount Stroller White, a 5,112-foot peak beside Mendenhall Glacier, with Mount McGinnis seen to the left. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
A group of people gather in front of the stone fireplace at Taku Lodge including Leigh Hackley “Hack” Smith, who inherited one-quarter of the estate from his grandparents at age nine, his mother Erie Smith next to fireplace on the right and Mary Joyce who took over the lodge when “Hack” died in 1934. (Courtesy of Ken and Mic Ward)

A centennial tribute to the people who built the Taku Glacier Lodge

The former hunting and fishing camp has gone through generations of owners and changes.

A group of people gather in front of the stone fireplace at Taku Lodge including Leigh Hackley “Hack” Smith, who inherited one-quarter of the estate from his grandparents at age nine, his mother Erie Smith next to fireplace on the right and Mary Joyce who took over the lodge when “Hack” died in 1934. (Courtesy of Ken and Mic Ward)
Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Marie Darlin unpacks her record collection as she moves into her fifth-floor apartment in Fireweed Place.

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of July 29

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Marie Darlin unpacks her record collection as she moves into her fifth-floor apartment in Fireweed Place.
The Franklin Street view of AELP’s 1930s building reveals its Art Deco architectural style, characterized by geometric features. The power company’s name is recessed in cast concrete. N. Lester Troast Co. designed the building which R. J. Somers constructed. The five-story Goldstein Emporium rises in the background with Douglas Island hills beyond. (Photo courtesy AELP)

Rooted in Community: AEL&P building makes news, power moves and whisky

Building that debuted in 1937 evolves from historic appliance showroom to modern-day distillery

The Franklin Street view of AELP’s 1930s building reveals its Art Deco architectural style, characterized by geometric features. The power company’s name is recessed in cast concrete. N. Lester Troast Co. designed the building which R. J. Somers constructed. The five-story Goldstein Emporium rises in the background with Douglas Island hills beyond. (Photo courtesy AELP)
Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Members of Juneau’s Hawaiian and Native communities help pull the Hawai’iloa closer to shore at Sandy Beach on July 14, 1995.

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of July 15

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Members of Juneau’s Hawaiian and Native communities help pull the Hawai’iloa closer to shore at Sandy Beach on July 14, 1995.
Alaska State Library Historical Collection P418-3 President Warren G. Harding (with walking stick) stands beside his wife (in cape) before Mendenhall Glacier on July 10, 1923. To Mrs. Harding’s side is Alaska Territorial Gov. Scott Bone (with mustache) and his niece Marguerite Bone.

100 years ago Juneau got its first visit from a U.S. president — less than three weeks before his death

Warren G. Harding got a “21 discharges of dynamite” salute and Mendenhall Glacier tour during visit

Alaska State Library Historical Collection P418-3 President Warren G. Harding (with walking stick) stands beside his wife (in cape) before Mendenhall Glacier on July 10, 1923. To Mrs. Harding’s side is Alaska Territorial Gov. Scott Bone (with mustache) and his niece Marguerite Bone.
By 1914 when this photo was taken, Juneau had developed into an established city. The Victorian era turreted Alaska Steam Laundry (built 1901) is seen on the left, while other buildings such as the Alaskan Hotel and Central Rooming House are on the right. The rooming house was reconstructed in the 1980s. It is now the Senate Mall. (Alaska State Library-P31-021).

Rooted in Community: Alaska Steam Laundry and the MacKinnon Family

Perhaps sharing the leading roles in Juneau High School’s 1915 theatrical play clinched the relationship that bloomed into the MacKinnon family legacy of keeping Juneau… Continue reading

By 1914 when this photo was taken, Juneau had developed into an established city. The Victorian era turreted Alaska Steam Laundry (built 1901) is seen on the left, while other buildings such as the Alaskan Hotel and Central Rooming House are on the right. The rooming house was reconstructed in the 1980s. It is now the Senate Mall. (Alaska State Library-P31-021).
Owners Patsy Anderson-Dunn and Kim Anderson in front of Mendenhall Mall today. (Courtesy Photo / Patsy Anderson-Dunn)

Skateland to Glam: A history of the Mendenhall Mall

If you think the Mendenhall Mall is dead, you haven’t been there lately. Three years ago, Mendenhall Mall — the 200,000-square-foot shopping center in the… Continue reading

Owners Patsy Anderson-Dunn and Kim Anderson in front of Mendenhall Mall today. (Courtesy Photo / Patsy Anderson-Dunn)
Children sit in a dugout canoe Wednesday in the Southeast Alaska village of Angoon. The dugout was dedicated to mark the 140th anniversary of the bombardment of Angoon. In 1882, the U.S. Navy opened fire on Angoon, burning the village and destroying all but one in its fleet of canoes. The new dugout was carved by Tlingit master carver Wayne Price and students in the Chatham School District. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘Once again, Angoon has a dugout’: Village residents welcome dugout canoe 140 years after bombardment

It’s the first dugout canoe in Angoon since the U.S. destroyed the village’s fleet in 1882.

Children sit in a dugout canoe Wednesday in the Southeast Alaska village of Angoon. The dugout was dedicated to mark the 140th anniversary of the bombardment of Angoon. In 1882, the U.S. Navy opened fire on Angoon, burning the village and destroying all but one in its fleet of canoes. The new dugout was carved by Tlingit master carver Wayne Price and students in the Chatham School District. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Leeann Thomas, third-generation owner of the Triangle Club, stands before the business her grandfather started in 1947. The location has a long history of Juneau businesses. (Laurie Craig / For the Downtown Business Association)

Rooted in Community: The Triangle Club and 76 years of the Thomas family

Historical photos hang in the building that once housed the famous Winter and Pond photo studio.

Leeann Thomas, third-generation owner of the Triangle Club, stands before the business her grandfather started in 1947. The location has a long history of Juneau businesses. (Laurie Craig / For the Downtown Business Association)